This habit of extreme habitat-specificity is unique in Asian box turtles, as most also range into alpine regions or areas north of the Tropic of Cancer. Physical Characteristics Cuora amboinensis are most easily recognized by their dark olive or black colored head, with three yellow stripes running along each side. The carapace is uniform in coloring, also expressing a dark olive to black hue, with varying degrees of doming and shape among the different subspecies. C. a. kamarona has a high-domed shell, while C. a. amboinensis and cuoro have more elongated and shallow carapaces. C. a. lineata has a distinguishable light colored line running along the the center keel.
Juveniles have a flattened carapace with three prominent keels.
Adults gradually lose these keels and the carapace becomes more domed. Sexual dimorphism between males and females is not obvious. Differences between genders are slight and not expressed until the turtle reaches maturity, at 4 or 5 years of age. Generally, males posses a slightly more concave plastron, longer, thicker tails, and larger claws when mature. Females have short, stubby tails and shorter claws.