Chaco tortoise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chaco tortoise |
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| Chelonoidis chilensis | |
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Chelonoidis
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| Species: |
chilensis
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The Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) is a type of tortoise. It is also known as the Argentine tortoise or Patagonian tortoise. These tortoises are special because they are endemic to South America. This means they are only found naturally in this part of the world.
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Where Do Chaco Tortoises Live?
Chaco tortoises mostly live in Argentina. You can also find them in parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. They prefer dry, thorny areas called the Chaco and Monte regions. Their homes are often chosen based on the right temperatures and rainfall.
Why Is Its Name Misleading?
The scientific name for this tortoise is Chelonoidis chilensis. This name is a bit confusing because it sounds like it's from Chile. But these tortoises do not live in Chile! They live mainly in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
When the tortoise was first described in 1870, the scientist John Edward Gray made a mistake. He thought the city of Mendoza was in Chile, but it was actually in Argentina. Even though the mistake was corrected quickly, the rules for naming animals mean the first name given usually sticks. So, the name chilensis (meaning "from Chile") has stayed, even though it's wrong!
What Does a Chaco Tortoise Look Like?
Chaco tortoises have a shell called a carapace. This shell can grow up to about 43 centimeters (17 inches) long. However, most are smaller, usually less than 25 centimeters (10 inches). Their shells can be yellowish-brown all over. Sometimes, they have dark brown or black rings around a tan center on each scute (the plates that make up the shell).
Tortoises living further south tend to be larger. The edge of their shell is a bit bumpy. They have a dark, wedge-shaped mark at the back of each scute. The bottom part of their shell, called the plastron, can be yellowish-brown. It might also have dark triangle shapes along the lines where the scutes meet. Their head, legs, and tail are usually greyish to yellowish-brown. The front of their front legs has large, bumpy scales. Their thighs have several big bumps too.
What Do Chaco Tortoises Eat?
Like all tortoises, Chaco tortoises are herbivores. This means they only eat plants. Their diet includes grasses, small bushes, fruits, and even parts of cactus plants.
Are There Different Kinds of Chaco Tortoises?
Scientists currently recognize only one species of Chaco tortoise. However, some researchers used to think there might be three different species. These were C. chilensis, C. petersi, and C. donosobarrosi. Some even thought C. donosobarrosi was a subspecies (a type within the species).
Over time, more studies, especially genetic ones, have shown that these differences are not big enough to make them separate species. The small differences in how they look can be explained by where they live, like how high up they are. So, for now, scientists agree that they are all the same species, Chelonoidis chilensis.
How Were They Named?
The specific name donosobarrosi honors a Chilean scientist named Roberto Donoso-Barros. The name petersi honors an American scientist named James A. Peters.
