 Although it looked like a crocodile (and probably lived like the more terrestrial crocodylomorphs), it was not closely related to these creatures, instead being an example of parallel evolution.The main difference between "Nicrosaurus" (and all other phytosaurs) and modern crocodiles is the position of the nostrils – "Nicrosaurus"'s nostrils, or external nares, were placed directly in front of the forehead, whereas in crocodiles, the nostrils are positioned on the end of the snout.A 2013 study has also found that illium of "Nicrosaurus" is quite distinctive from all other phytosaurs.