The narrow part of the teardrop is toward the tail end of the turtle. At one time, the black turtle was considered to be a race of the green sea turtle.
Some experts continue to list it as such.
Like green sea turtles, this species has a single pair of enlarged prefrontal scales on the head. The head size is comparatively smaller than that of green sea turtles. There are four costal scutes on the carapace. This turtle is found primarily in coastal waters, bays and estuaries in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Present population estimates vary from 5,000 to 10,000 individuals.