The sexes are dimorphic, and easily distinguished in mature specimens. The male's eyes are typically brown, and the chin is tan, brown, or black. The female has a higher, more rounded carapace, and a flat plastron. The female's eyes are usually orange and her chin is yellow or orange. The female's tail is comparatively narrow, and when extended, the vent is at or beneath the edge of the carapace.
Females are slightly larger than males, on average.
The tail may be nearly as long as the carapace. Spotted Turtles eat a variety of plant and animal foods, which are consumed in the water. Vegetable foods include algae, leaves of soft aquatic plants, and water lily seeds. Male Spotted Turtles may fight each other, presumably over access to females. Nesting can occur from late May through June.