The carapace of L. punctata viewed from above is broadly oval in adults, but more circular in young, widest just anterior to hind limbs.

The nose is short and stout; the nasal septum has no lateral ridge, the edges of the jaws are smooth, the alveolar surfaces are expanded and granular.

The claws are large and heavy; the penis is thick and oval, with deep dorsal cleft and four pointed, soft papillae; the tail is very short in both sexes.

In 2020 a farmer found a yellow flapshell turtle, believed to be an albino version of the species.

Its diet consists of frogs, shrimp, snails, aquatic vegetation, plant leaves, flowers, fruits, grasses, and seeds.

[7] L. punctata lives in the shallow, quiet, often stagnant waters of rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, lakes and irrigation canals, and tanks.

[7] L. punctata turtle plays an important role to reduce pollution in aquatic ecosystems by feeding on snails, insects, and fragments of dead animals.

The femoral flaps that cover the retracted legs help the turtle survive dry conditions.

When receptive, the female faces the male with her neck extended and they begin bobbing their heads vertically three or four times.

This behavior is repeated, then mating begins when the female settles to the bottom and is mounted by the male.

[8] Nesting times of L. punctata occur during many periods in the year depending on habitat and location.

[8] In many South Asian provinces, freshwater turtles and their eggs are commonly used as a source of protein-rich food.