As it ages, algae often heavily cover the shell, masking the patterning and coloration.

The head is large and bulbous for its size, with a sharp beak and a long neck.

The jaw joint anatomy of the narrow-bridged musk turtle is unique among modern Cryptodira.

In the narrow-bridged musk turtle, the jaw joint of is formed by a broad hemispherical condyle, more akin to Pleurodira.

It spends much of its time walking along the bottom, foraging for aquatic insects and other invertebrates, and carrion.