 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.The genus was named by German paleontologist, Dr. Eberhard Fraas, in 1866, possibly after the Neckar river of southwestern Germany, near which it was found.