The species is found in the Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan.

[4] It is possible that the Japanese populations are the result of ancient introductions by humans.

[4] This aquatic species may attain a straight carapace length of 32.5 cm (1.1 ft).

[5] In China specifically the breeding of the closely-related Chinese softshell turtle has been done for over 2400 years and the production has come[6] to 340,000 Annually due to the demand.

The specific name, maackii, is in honor of Russian naturalist Richard Maack.