This tortoise is the largest inhabiting Asia, and the fourth largest in the world. Two subspecies are currently recognized: Manouria emys emys is commonly known as the Asian brown tortoise, and is characterized by a light to dark brown upper shell (carapace); while Manouria emys phayrei is commonly known as the Burmese brown tortoise, and is larger and darker in colour, having a charcoal to black upper shell (carapace). The forelimbs have five large claws and are covered on the front with large, heavy, overlapping scales. By contrast, the hindlimbs end in four pointed claws and bare a conspicuous cluster of very large tubercular scales on the thigh either side of the tail. These are so large that the species is sometimes referred to as the six-footed tortoise.