Reeves' Turtle is a rare and endangered freshwater turtle species in the wild, though it is widely bred in captivity to meet the demands of the pet trade and to provide plastrons for producing herbal tortoise jelly.

Reeves' Turtle has three distinct longitudinal keels on its carapace. Its head and neck are dark brown with light yellow stripes or patches on both sides. Some individuals are melanistic. It is an omnivorous species that typically feeds on plants, shrimp, and small fish.