Shanrui soft-shell turtle, also called Shanrui, is an aquatic animal. The round shape of the aquatic animal is very similar to the Chinese soft-shell turtle commonly known as "soft-shell turtle"; the Shanrui soft-shell turtle is thicker and larger than the average Chinese soft-shell turtle. It is much larger, and there are many warts on both sides of the head. The body length is 30-40 cm, the width is about 23 cm, and the weight is about 20 kg.

The pearl soft-shelled turtle is basically oval in shape, golden in color, and brighter than the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, while the small seedling is black in color, with pearl-like spots on its back, a gold edge on the skirt, and a smaller head. The limbs are relatively flat, and the fingers and toes are fully webbed, each with 3 claws. The tail is short, with the tip of the male's tail extending beyond the skirt. The back is olive or brown-olive, and the belly is flesh-colored or gray.