The genus Heosemys consists of four species
| Scientific name | First description | Common name |
| Heosemys annandalii | Boulenger 1903 | Yellow-headed temple turtle |
| Heosemys depressa | Anderson 1875 | Arakan forest turtle |
| Heosemys grandis | Gray 1860 | Giant Asian pond turtle (or: Orange-headed temple turtle) |
| Heosemys spinosa | Gray 1831 | Spiny hill turtle (or: Cogwheel turtle) |
Determination table
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Section A
A1 Does the plastron have a plastral hinge?
Yes → Not a HeosemysNo plastral hinge (although the plastron may be slightly movable) → A2
A2 Is the seam between the anal and femoral scutes straight across or does it angle slightly forward?
Yes → A3No, it curves far forwards → Not a Heosemys
A3 Is the straight carapace length more than 30 cm?
Yes → D2No → A4
A4 Is the carapace serrated only posteriorly?
Yes → C1No → B1
Section B
B1 Does the turtle have spines around it's shell?
Yes → Heosemys spinosaNo → B2
B2 Is the carapace more round than elongated?
Yes → Heosemys spinosaNo → B3
B3 Does the turtle have red or pale blotches on the head?
Yes → Heosemys spinosaNo → C1
Section C
C1 Do the eyes have brown irises?
Yes → Heosemys depressaNo → C2
C2 Does the plastron have an irregular pattern of black blotches?
Yes → Heosemys depressaNo → D1
Section D
D1 Does the turtle have coloured stripes on the head?
Yes → Heosemys annandaliiNo → D2
D2 Does the turtle have orange speckles on it's head?
Yes → Heosemys grandisNo → D3
D3 Does the carapace have a flattened keel?
Yes → Heosemys annandaliiNo, it has a well-pronounced keel → D4
D4 Is the plastron yellow/orange with dark radiating lines?
Yes → D5No, the plastron has regular black blotches on each scute, but no radiating lines → Heosemys annandalii
No, the plastron is (mostly) black → Heosemys annandalii
No, the plastron is yellow/orange → D5
D5 Is the interfemoral seam longer than the interpectoral seam?
Yes → Heosemys grandisNo → Heosemys spinosa
• sources: Ernst & Barbour (1989), P.P. van Dijk (forum topic, 2001)
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