Characteristic         

Named for its distinctively flattened upper shell (the carapace), the Malayan flat-shelled turtle is one of few turtle species in the world to have more than five vertebral scutes, typically having six or seven instead. The carapace of adult males is typically yellowish-brown with dark brown mottling, whereas female and immature turtles often have a more uniformly olive- or reddish-brown shell. The underside of the shell (the plastron) is yellow to orange in colour with black patches , and the angular head and the neck are dark brown, although the chin and throat turn a paler yellow with age. The front legs have scales and bear 5 strong claws.