The role of the Naturalist in Red Dead Online is a challenging one, requiring patience and perseverance in the early stages. However, with the right approach, it is possible to level up quickly and reap the rewards of this rewarding profession.

In this guide, we will reveal the secrets to gaining Naturalist XP efficiently, as well as highlighting the best areas to visit for farming the Naturalist role XP. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to succeed as a Naturalist in Red Dead Online.

5. Study Animals

Studying an animal is perhaps the simplest and easiest way to make small but significant Naturalist Role XP. 

In Red Dead Online, studying animals is an essential aspect of the Naturalist role. This is done by approaching an animal and holding the R1 or Right Bumper button on your controller while close enough to the creature. By doing so, you'll enter a special mode that allows you to study the animal in depth, learning about its characteristics, habits, and behaviors. Studying animals is also a key aspect of the Naturalist role's missions, which often require players to identify and study certain species. By studying animals, players will have a greater understanding of the creatures they encounter in the game, which can be used to help them complete missions more effectively.

By studying animals, players can gain XP towards leveling up in the Naturalist role, as well as unlock new items, such as sedative ammo, that can be used to tame and capture wild animals. Of course, this method doesn’t give you too much Naturalist XP though, which is why it’s not that high on this list. As a player progresses through the levels of the naturalist role, they can also unlock new abilities such as being able to track animals and take samples of their blood and other body parts.

How it Works:

• Find the animal you want to study.
• Hold R1/Right Bumper/Right Click on your controller/mouse.
• Study the animal by observing its characteristics, habits, and behaviors.
• Gain XP towards leveling up in the Naturalist role.
• Unlock new items, such as sedative ammo, that can be used to tame and capture wild animals.
• As you progress through the levels of the naturalist role, you can also unlock new abilities such as being able to track animals and take samples of their blood and other body parts.
• Study different animal species to gain a greater understanding of the creatures you encounter in the game.
• Use your understanding of animals to help complete missions more effectively.

4. The Advanced Camera Photography

Taking portraits of cows with the advanced camera is efficient, because they just sit there for the most part.

The Advanced Camera in Red Dead Online is an invaluable tool for those looking to level up their Naturalist role quickly and efficiently. With its recent addition to the game, players are now able to capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world in stunning detail, with a wide range of camera filters and advanced options to choose from. Acquiring the Advanced Camera is a simple process. Simply open the Catalogue by pressing and holding J on the keyboard (or by holding left on the d-pad on consoles) and navigate to the Hunting and Blessing section. Here, flip through the pages until you spot the ad for the Advanced Camera. The camera costs $540 or 22 Gold.

The Advanced Camera is not just a cosmetic item, it also allows players to move freely while using it, and take self-portraits, making it easier to capture the perfect shot. The camera is perfect for taking photos of animals, which is a requirement for the Naturalist role, making it a must-have for those looking to level up quickly.

How it Works: 

• Acquire the Advanced Camera from the Catalogue by pressing and holding J on the keyboard (or by holding left on the d-pad on consoles).
• Navigate to the Hunting and Blessing section in the Catalogue.
• Flip through the pages until you spot the ad for the Advanced Camera.
• The camera costs $540 or 22 Gold.
• Use the Advanced Camera to take pictures of animals.
• Each animal photograph taken with the Advanced Camera will give you XP for the Naturalist role.
• Use the camera filters and options to capture the perfect shot of animals.
• Repeat the process by taking pictures of different animals to level up your Naturalist role.
• Keep an eye out for animal sightings in the game, and use the Advanced Camera to capture them in stunning detail.
• Use the ability to move freely while using the camera and take self-portraits to capture the perfect shot.

3. Poached Animal Missions

It's funny how I forgot to sedate the animal right after freeing it, which is something you should definitely do every time!

Poached Animal missions in Red Dead Online are a type of mission that can be picked up from Harriet Davenport, a naturalist you can find in the game. These missions are available as soon as you start the Naturalist role and can be found in the mission menu when you talk to her. The main objective of these missions is to liberate a camp full of poachers and free any animals that are being held captive.

These missions are a great way to boost your Naturalist rank early in the game and can be completed in between sample hunting. It is important to note that when you embark on these missions, you should sedate the held animal after you shoot the lock to free it, as it will give you an extra sample. This is especially important as the animal can be quite rare on occasion.

How it Works:

• Talk to Harriet Davenport, a naturalist you can find in the game.
• Look for Poached Animal missions in the mission menu when you talk to her.
• Embark on the mission, which involves liberating a camp full of poachers and freeing any animals that are being held captive.
• Sedate the held animal after you shoot the lock to free it, as it will give you an extra sample!
• Repeat the process by completing multiple Poached Animal missions to level up your Naturalist role.
• The Poached Animal missions are a great way to boost your Naturalist rank early in the game and can be completed in between sample hunting.
• Keep an eye out for Poached Animal missions and liberate the camp full of poachers and free any animals that are being held captive.

2. Farming Merino Sheep

The innocent Merino Sheep have no power when the players just sedate them and take them to Harriet...

Farming Merino Sheep in Red Dead Online is a great way to quickly level up your Naturalist role. These domesticated animals can be found in ranches, with Valentine being a particularly good location for finding large numbers of them in sheep-pens. The Emerald Ranch is located far west of the Van Horn Trading Post, and this ranch has several animals you can find, including the Merino Sheep, you can also do your farming here. 

To farm Merino Sheep, you will first need to sedate them. This can be done by using sedative ammo, which can be unlocked by leveling up in the Naturalist role. Once the sheep is sedated, you can then capture it by lassoing it, then putting it on your horse and taking it with you. After capturing the Merino Sheep, you will need to bring it to Harriet, who is a naturalist you can find in the game. She will take the sheep and use it for various purposes, and in return you will get XP for your Naturalist role. By farming Merino Sheep using these methods, you can quickly and efficiently level up your Naturalist role and unlock new items and abilities.

How it Works: 

• Go to a ranch or a location where Merino Sheep can be found, such as Valentine or the Emerald Ranch.
• Use sedative ammo to sedate the sheep
• Capture the sedated sheep by throwing a lasso over its head and tying it to your horse.
• Bring the captured sheep to Harriet, who is a naturalist you can find in the game.
• Harriet will take the sheep and use it for various purposes, such as breeding.
• In return, you will get XP for your naturalist role.
• Repeat the process to farm more sheep and gain more XP to level up your Naturalist role and unlock new items and abilities.

1. Find Legendary Animals

The most profitable way of earning Naturalist Role XP, simply hunt down those legendary animals. 

The Legendary Animal missions in Red Dead Online are truly the ultimate test for any aspiring naturalist. These challenging and exhilarating missions are instanced expeditions, akin to Legendary Bounty Hunter missions, where players must track and hunt a specific animal. To accept these missions, players must talk to Harriet at her post and pick from the animals available during the current cycle. These missions are not for the faint of heart, as they require players to follow trails, inspect poop, and track and take down rogue poachers who also want the animal for themselves. It's important to wipe them out quickly, as they can spoil the experience.

In addition to the instanced missions, players can also use their Legendary Animal map to find Legendary Animals in the wild themselves. However, it's worth keeping in mind that these are open-world events, so they are quite rare and will depend on the actions of other players in your session. Once you encounter a Legendary Animal, the game will offer you a choice, you can either sedate and sample it to bring back to Harriet or kill it for Gus to pick up a unique garment set, the choice is yours. These missions are the most effective way to gain Naturalist XP, they are challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. By completing these missions, players will not only gain XP, but also unlock new items, such as sedative ammo, new abilities, new cosmetics, trinkets and more!

How it Works:

• Talk to Harriet Davenport, a naturalist you can find in the game.
• Look for Legendary Animal missions in the mission menu when you talk to her.
• Embark on the mission, which involves tracking and hunting a specific animal.
• The mission usually involves following trails, inspecting poop and tracking and taking down rogue poachers who also want the animal for themselves.
• Wipe out the poachers quickly so they don’t spoil the game.
• You can also use your Legendary Animal map to find Legendary Animals in the wild yourself.
• Once you encounter the Legendary Animal, you will have the option to sedate and sample it to bring back to Harriet or kill it for Gus to pick up a unique garment set.
• Repeat the process by completing multiple Legendary Animal missions to level up your Naturalist role.
• Legendary Animal missions are the most effective way to gain Naturalist XP and unlock new items and abilities.