Derived traits in "R. kasrani", relative to older archaeocetes such as "Pakicetus", includes high-crowned cheek teeth, larger auditory bullae, larger mandibular foramen, and mandibular canals. The higher neural spines and shorter femur (60–70%) distinguishes "Rodhocetus" from the more primitive "Ambulocetus". The convex posterior surface of the exoccipital, shorter cervical vertebrae, and unfused sacral vertebrae distinguishes "R. kasrani" from "Indocetus". In contrast to later archaeocetes such as "Protocetus" and later cetaceans, "Rodhocetus" retains external nares above upper canines, high neural spines on anterior thoracic vertebrae, and four sacral vertebrae with sacroiliac joints similar to those in land-mammals (suggesting a hip joint that could support the body weight.)