Like other proterochampsids, Proterochampsa are quadruped tetrapods superficially similar in appearance to modern crocodiles, although the two groups are not closely related.

[4] The two species are distinct in several characters, including that P. nodosa has larger, more well-developed nodular protuberances,[1] a more gradually narrowing snout, and a higher occiput than P.

[3] The Ischigualasto Formation as a whole is well-known to paleontologists from its rich fossil record of flora and fauna, with the latter including fishes and a variety of tetrapod lineages.

Because of this abundant fossil record and the biodiversity it represents, the formation has been valuable in the study of the Late Triassic, particularly regarding the evolution of dinosaurs and other tetrapods.

Proterochampsa nodosa specimens have all been found in the Santa Maria Supersequence within the Rosário do Sul Group in the Paraná Basin in southeastern Brazil.

[7] When describing the same specimen in 1967, Sill supported this idea, and additionally denominated the family Proterochampsidae within the order Crocodilia to include the single known species.

[4] By 2009, aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyles had been proposed for all proterochampsids by Schultz, and the group was no longer considered to be closely related to crocodiles or phytosaurs.

[7] The Proterochampsa genus was known mainly from skulls and postcrania that did not extend posteriorly past the most anterior dorsal vertebrae until the description of a new P. barrionuevoi specimen by Trotteyn in 2011.

[8] The description of a P. barrionuevoi braincase by Trotteyn and Haro in 2009 examined several additional neurocranial features specific to the species, including a V-shaped ridge around the basisphenoidal fossa with convex branching, and a ventrolaterally exposed semilunar depression on the parabasisphenoid.

[10] Both species within the Proterochampsa genus have prominent dermal sculpturing in the form of pits, ridges and nodular protuberances on a variety of cranial bones.

[2][1] Other features that distinguish the two species include a higher occiput, a more gradually narrowing snout,[2] and a less pronounced anterior depression on the antorbital fenestra in P.

[7][1] Historically, knowledge of Proterochampsa postcrania did not extend posteriorly past the most anterior dorsal vertebrae, until a more complete P. barrionuevoi specimen was described in 2011 by Trotteyn.

Proterochampsa are known to be quadrupedal, while the posture of proterochampsians as a whole is unclear due to their intermediate tarsal type that lies between crurotarsal and mesotarsal.

[9][12] Notably, there is variation within some species,[12] and inconsistencies found in some studies suggest that proterochampsids may have had developmental plasticity, meaning their growth rates were variable and could respond to environmental changes.

[4] Other proterochampsian species have been found within the Rosário do Sul Group, including Rhadinosuchus gracilis, Cerritosaurus binsfeldi, and Chanaresuchus bonapartei.