Carapace is cardiform or elliptical with imbricated dorsal scutes in adults. Head is medium-sized and narrow with a pointed beak. Two pairs of prefrontal and three or four postorbital scales. Scutes are strongly imbricated at maturity. Eleven pairs of marginal with one pair of postcentral or pigal scutes. Plastron is covered by five pairs of scutes. Four poreless inframarginal scutes covering each bridge. Male is stronger, more curved claws and longer tails than females. Carapace has three keels of spines in hatchlings and juveniles, which disappear with growth. Scales of head is creamy or have yellow margins. Dorsal side of the head and flippers are darker and less variable.