The locality where "Batrachotomus" lived was a swampy region and the name comes from the Greek "batrachos/βάτραχος" (frog) and "tome/τομή" (cutting, slicing), which refers to its preying on the large amphibian "Mastodonsaurus". In contrast with sprawling reptiles, like crocodiles, this large carnivore was very agile with locomotor superiority due to its erect stance. A remarkable feature seen on its back was a row of paired, flattened bony plates. "Batrachotomus" was possibly an early relative of "Postosuchus", which lived during the dawn of the dinosaurs.