The Chaco feels like an endless world of sky and trees. Most of it is very hot and very dry for part of the year, then flooded and muddy in another part - so the animals and plants that live there have become experts at surviving both extremes. Some trees store water in their trunks like a natural bottle.
The Paraguayan Chaco is famous for its wildlife. Jaguars still roam here - they are the biggest cat in the Americas. Giant armadillos, which can be as big as a small dog, dig burrows in the soil. Hundreds of species of birds fill the thorny trees, including the bright-red scarlet macaw. This rich mix of wildlife makes the Chaco one of the most important wildlife habitats in the world.
Indigenous communities have lived in the Chaco for thousands of years and know it better than anyone. They have deep knowledge of which plants can be eaten, which can heal an upset stomach, and how to find water in the driest months. Many communities still live in the Chaco today and welcome researchers who want to learn from them.