Spotted pond turtles are named for the yellow or white spots on their black heads, legs and tails. They have large heads and short snouts, and their webbed feet help them swim. The pond turtle's carapace, or upper shell, is generally black with bright patterns that fade with age. Males have concave carapaces and larger, thicker tails than females.

Pond turtles bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature. At times, they will gather and rest on vegetation (either on water or on land). In the summer, in areas where their usual water source dries up, spotted pond turtles undergo a short migration to move into wells in the river bed. They are able to dig quite deep to reach these sites.

They can grow up to about 40.5 centimeters (16 inches). 

Spotted pond turtles are found in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent in the Indus and Ganges river drainages. Their range includes parts of Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.  They are semi-aquatic and can typically be found in shallow, standing waters, such as oxbow lakes, ponds and marshes.

They prefer water with thick vegetation that provides cover, as well as places to lie and bask. In the summer, pond turtles remain mostly submerged in the water. They may be seen poking their heads out of the water for long periods of time. During the winter, they rest under bushes, dry vegetation, water reeds and dry leaves.

Spotted pond turtles typically live 15-20 years in zoos.

When they retreat into their shells, spotted pond turtles make a soft croak.

Spotted pond turtles are primarily carnivorous and eat aquatic invertebrates. They use the bony surfaces of their strong jaws to crush the shells of snails, prawns, crabs and other crustaceans. They also eat mollusks, fish, amphibians and cereal grains, and will sometimes graze on grasses.

Spotted pond turtles are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at twilight (dusk and dawn).

Spotted pond turtles reach sexual maturity between 6 and 8 years old. Females dig a bowl-shaped nest for their eggs that is about 6-10 centimeters (2-4 inches) deep. The nest is dug into loamy soil (soil with sand, silt and clay) in a spot where it will be concealed by bushes and other vegetation.

Females generally lay two clutches of eggs per year, the first in December or January and the second just before or after the monsoon season in February or March. This timing varies a bit depending on geography; in northern India, the eggs are laid in April and May. Each clutch usually contains about 20-30 eggs, but the largest clutch on record had 36 eggs. The second clutch of the year tends to be slightly smaller than the first. The eggs incubate for about 50-60 days before hatching.
 

The spotted pond turtle is considered endangered in Bangladesh and vulnerable in India. Spotted pond turtles are also listed on CITES Appendix I. Several sanctuaries in northern India protect pond turtles, and this species is reported to be relatively abundant in India's protected areas.

Harvesting is the largest threat to these turtles. They are often exported to food markets throughout Asia, and eaten locally in India. They are sold as pets in local markets, as well as in the U.S. and Europe. Spotted turtle populations are also negatively affected by habitat loss. The vegetation that these turtles live in is often removed when lands are converted for agriculture.

Two spotted pond turtles live at Reptile Discovery Center.