The name "Kaprosuchus" (Kapro meaning “Boar” and suchus “Crocodile” in Greek) is derived from its distinctive three sets of teeth, which resemble the tusks of a wild boar. These sets of teeth are arranged with two pairs in the upper jaw and one pair in the lower jaw. The jaws also feature notches in the bone to allow the teeth to pass through. These notches were essential, as without them, Kaprosuchus would have been unable to close its jaws due to the interlocking teeth.

At the tip of its snout, Kaprosuchus had a bulky structure that may have supported a keratinous growth. It's been speculated that this feature could have served as a sort of battering ram. In this scenario, Kaprosuchus might have charged at its prey, using the snout to stun or knock down its target before clamping down with its powerful jaws and teeth.

The eye sockets in Kaprosuchus are positioned in a manner similar to other terrestrial crocodiles, with a forward-facing orientation rather than facing upward. Additionally, the arrangement of the eye sockets suggests the possibility that Kaprosuchus had stereoscopic vision, which would have provided a degree of depth perception.

Kaprosuchus is represented by a nearly complete skull measuring 507 mm in length, with the lower jaw measuring 603 mm. What sets Kaprosuchus apart is its distinctive dentition featuring three sets of tusk-like caniniform teeth that extend both above and below the skull. Remarkably, one of these lower jaw teeth fits into notches in the upper jaw, a dental arrangement that is unparalleled in any other known crocodyliform.

Another remarkable feature unique to Kaprosuchus is the presence of large, rugged horns formed from the squamosal and parietal bones that extend backward from the skull. These prominent projections are a distinguishing characteristic of Kaprosuchus and are not found in any other crocodyliform, although smaller projections akin to these are observed in its close relative, Mahajangasuchus.

Kaprosuchus was initially believed to be primarily, if not exclusively, a terrestrial predator. Evidence supporting this behavior included the arrangement of its orbits, which were positioned laterally and somewhat towards the front, suggesting overlapping vision. This differed from many other neosuchians, including modern crocodilians, where the orbits are dorsally located to facilitate aquatic predation, allowing them to keep their heads submerged while keeping their eyes above the water's surface.

Further backing for terrestrial predation came from the structure of its teeth and jaws. Kaprosuchus had large, sharp-edged, and relatively straight caniniform teeth, contrasting with the fluted, subconical, and recurved teeth seen in aquatic crocodyliforms. The elongated retroarticular process of the lower jaw indicated the ability to open the jaws quickly with a wide gape, allowing its opposing caniniforms to clear one another. The fused nasal bones were thought to provide reinforcement against compression forces associated with a powerful bite. Additionally, the telescoped, dorsally located external nares were seen as protection in case the animal rammed prey with its robust snout, and a keratinous shield covering the snout tip would have offered extra safeguarding. However, it is now believed that Kaprosuchus had a semiaquatic lifestyle.