The Chaco tortoise is active from October to March, which corresponds with spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. They feed on broad leafy weeds, cactus pads, fruits, grasses and carrion on occasion. Interestingly, Chacos have a strongly cuspid jaw and an equally strong bite, which might support the observation that this tortoise also feeds on carrion. In captivity, Chacos have been observed actually ripping the flesh from a debilitated tortoise.
There is one report that the Chaco tortoise can actually smell and seek out water, which would make sense considering the meager rainfall that occurs throughout its range. As mentioned, tortoises inhabiting the southern portion of the range dig burrows or occupy burrows abandoned by other animals, such as armadillos. In the north, tortoises spend their resting periods in shallow pallets that they dig out at the base of bushes. This also serves as shelter during extreme cold and hot temperatures.
Breeding occurs in the months of October to December. The male courts (if you want to call it that) the female by ramming and biting aggressively at her forelimbs to the point that flesh is sometimes torn. They then go through a typical tortoise breeding ritual where the male mounts the female and emits a vocal chirp or wheezing sound in the process.
A female will sometimes take on the role of a male with other females, but this behavior has been observed with other chelonians. It is not really known if this behavior serves any specific function. There is speculation that it is a form of domineering behavior.
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