Characteristics of Balanerpeton woodi include the presence of large external nares, large interpterygoid vacuities (holes in the back of the palate), and an ear with a tympanic membrane and rod-like stapes. Numerous studies and research regarding ontogeny in non extant taxa have been oriented around this taxon.
The characteristics of Balanerpeton woodi, such as its large external nares, interpterygoid vacuities, and ear structure, have made it a key subject in research focused on the development of non-extant species.