A full stomach and a good diet are different
A food source may fill your stomach without fixing a missing nutrient. Open TAB, read your species' list and check which bar actually rises after feeding. Herbivores should consider the zone, while carnivores should consider both prey and food type.
Read α, β and γ
In the diet reference, α represents carbohydrates, β proteins and γ lipids. Food sources differ between species. Use the in-game list when external information does not match what you are playing.
- Good Diet: the calculator models one nutrient group at a reference 100% growth rate.
- Great Diet: two nutrient groups at a reference 200% growth rate.
- Perfect Diet: all three nutrient groups at a reference 300% growth rate.
How does the growth calculator work?
The calculator adds the durations of the remaining stages. Before 75%, it divides each baseline duration by the chosen diet rate and server multiplier. From 75–100%, it applies the server multiplier without an additional diet divisor.
For example, EFG lists 60 + 120 baseline minutes for Omniraptor's Juvenile and Sub-adult stages. From a 25% spawn to 75% Adult, sustained Perfect Diet on a 1× server gives an estimate of 60 minutes. This is a calculation from stage data, not a timed gameplay trial.
Why can actual time differ?
The estimate assumes diet and the server multiplier stay constant over the calculated interval. Nutrient loss, resource shortages or custom server rules can change the result. When a species lacks stage data, EFG reports it as unavailable rather than inventing a duration.
Choose the correct starting milestone. A normal Juvenile spawn differs from nesting in as a Hatchling, and a full 0–100% lifecycle differs from time to 75% Adult.
Fit diet into your survival plan
Plan a route with food, water and cover instead of chasing one nutrient at any cost. If you need to change your diet, read the Salt Lick and Gastrolith reference and check their in-game effects before using them with low reserves.
For a Prime run, combine feeding with zone visits on the same route. Remember that faster growth also brings adulthood closer.
Sources and scope
Tactical decisions and checklists are EFG editorial suggestions. The references below provide mechanic guidance or update announcements; community sources may lag behind the game. Check the branch, version and server rules when information differs.