Chaco Tortoise: An Endangered Species of Tortoise from Argentina

The Chaco tortoise is a moderate sized tortoise originating from Argentina; they are considered as an endangered species, and so are rarely available out of their motherland - South America.

Chaco tortoises enjoy living in moderately arid regions where there are sparsely vegetated land, and grasslands with few trees and woodlands. In the winter, they have been known to go into hibernation meaning that they will retreat to the deeper burrows. If they do not hibernate, then they will spend it in a semi-dormant state when they will occasionally wake up for food, water, and to go to the bathroom. When the weather becomes warmer in the summer or the spring, the Chaco tortoise will move back to the shallow burrows. Also, they enjoy soaking in the water although they live in a dry area.

In the wild, the Chaco tortoise will primarily feed on shrubs, grasses, cactus pads and fruits. In captivity, that is usually their diet as well. In captivity, they will also eat mean on occasion; animal protein is important to the overall health of a tortoise after all! Thus, it is believed that in the wild, Chaco tortoises also feed on carrion as well. In captivity, their diet consists of 75% dark leafy greens and grasses like clover, 15% vegetable, and 10% fruit!

Chaco tortoises need a large enclosure - at least, larger than the average tortoise of its size; thus, it is better to leave them outdoors if you are caring for them. They enjoy being in the outdoors more than in captivity no doubt!

The Chaco tortoise is actually considered an endangered tortoise because of two reasons: habitat destruction and the pet trade. Each year, over 75 000 Chaco tortoises are captured to be sold in the pet market where it is believed that 32% of the Chaco tortoises are believed to only live up to one year. However, Chaco tortoises are rarely sold as pets outside their homeland of Argentina and Paraguay. The habitat destruction and competition over food due to larger and faster animals is also what is causing the decline in population of the Chaco tortoises.

If we are to care for the Chaco tortoises, and be sure of their safety, perhaps one day, they would not be considered an endangered species anymore. One of the most interesting points and aspects of the Chaco tortoise is that they are sometimes considered in its own genus due to its differences with other tortoises.