Body is covered with bony plates. Tail is laterally compressed which has saw-toothed fringe on top and the tip is grey on all sides. Body is strongly armoured. Heavy jaws with formidable pivoted teeth remain exposed even when the mouth is closed. The fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw is enlarged. Forelimb has 5 fingers and the hind limb has 4 toes. The fingers are webbed at the base and the outer toes are broadly webbed. Adult is dark on top with some grey areas and dark stripes in the flanks and the belly is creamy yellow to white. Juvenile is pale tan with black stripes and spots.