Terrestrisuchus was a small, slender crocodylomorph with very long legs, quite unlike modern crocodilians.
It was initially estimated to have been between 49 to 76 centimetres (19 to 30 in) long, although this estimate may be based on juvenile specimens and fully grown Terrestrisuchus may have reached or exceeded 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length.

Its skull was long and narrow, with a tapering, pointed triangular snout lined with sharp curved teeth.
The upper jaw margin was straight, and lacked a diastema (a gap in the tooth row) between the maxilla and the premaxilla.
By contrast, the long and slender dentary bones of the lower jaw curved slightly upwards towards the front.
Unlike modern crocodilians, the eye of Terrestrisuchus was supported by a ring of bony ossicles, the sclerotic ring.

 
The body was relatively short and shallow, and the spine was topped by paired rows of osteoderms running down from its neck down its back.
These osteoderms are described as "leaf-shaped", being relatively longer than wide with a prominent spur at the front that slides under and interlocks with the scute in front of it.
This provides a rigid support for the body and limited the flexibility of its spine, supporting its body on land.
The hips of Terrestrisuchus had an elongated pubis, unlike living crocodilians.
Terrestrisuchus is also known to have had tightly packed gastralia, or belly ribs.
Its tail was particularly long, about twice the length of the head and body combined with an estimated 70 caudal vertebrae in total, and may have been used as a balance allowing the animal to rear up and run on its hind legs for brief periods.
Terrestrisuchus was a small, slender crocodylomorph with very long legs, quite unlike modern crocodilians. It was initially estimated to have been between 49 to 76 centimetres (19 to 30 in) long, although this estimate may be based on juvenile specimens and fully grown Terrestrisuchus may have reached or exceeded 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length.
Its skull was long and narrow, with a tapering, pointed triangular snout lined with sharp curved teeth. The upper jaw margin was straight, and lacked a diastema (a gap in the tooth row) between the maxilla and the premaxilla. By contrast, the long and slender dentary bones of the lower jaw curved slightly upwards towards the front. Unlike modern crocodilians, the eye of Terrestrisuchus was supported by a ring of bony ossicles, the sclerotic ring.
 
The body was relatively short and shallow, and the spine was topped by paired rows of osteoderms running down from its neck down its back. These osteoderms are described as "leaf-shaped", being relatively longer than wide with a prominent spur at the front that slides under and interlocks with the scute in front of it. This provides a rigid support for the body and limited the flexibility of its spine, supporting its body on land. The hips of Terrestrisuchus had an elongated pubis, unlike living crocodilians. Terrestrisuchus is also known to have had tightly packed gastralia, or belly ribs. Its tail was particularly long, about twice the length of the head and body combined with an estimated 70 caudal vertebrae in total, and may have been used as a balance allowing the animal to rear up and run on its hind legs for brief periods.
Terrestrisuchus