Small (12 cm CL) turtle with dull brown capapace, scutes somtiems dark bordered. Sides of head spotted or mottled with yellow. Plastron dark brown or tan. Male has divided patch of rough scales behind knee and a larger swollen tail tipped with a claw. Hatchling tiny (2.0 - 2.5 cm CL) with a dark carapace and an orange, red, or yellow plastron bearing an extensive patch of park pigment.