Sulawesi bald turtle males are larger and females are slightly smaller, and their heads are always brown in color and are not as large and white as the males. The head of the male Sulawesi white-headed turtle is grey and white, and the head of the female is tan.

Three carapaces of Sulawesi bald turtle Longitudinal ribs, the center one is the widest, and the longitudinal ribs on both sides are thin and short. The longitudinal edges are relatively flat, with black lines along the longitudinal shuttle. The anterior and posterior margins of the shield are serrated, especially at the trailing edge. The neck shield is narrow in the front and wide in the back, the plastron is black in the center and light yellow at the edge. The anterior margin of the plastron is cut flat, and the posterior margin is deeply absent. There is a deep depression between the anal shields. Large scales on the front buttocks and shin, slightly webbed bases of fingers and toes, short tail.