Chelonoidis pucara

Chelonoidis pucara is an extinct species of turtle in the genus Chelonoidis that lived during the Pleistocene epoch.

Distribution

Chelonoidis pucara is known from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Description

Chelonoidis pucara had an estimated carapace length of 1.7-1.8 metres, making it the largest known testudinid from South America. The holotype was an adult male, and had enlarged epiplastral "horns". In life, these would have been covered in gular scutes. Extant species with such gular projections use them as weapons in fights between males.