It thrives in mangrove, forest and water margins in tropical refuges, where it feeds on birds, fishes, mammals, and carrion.

V. cumingi was previously recognized as a subspecies of the water monitor (Varanus salvator), but since 2007 is acknowledged as a species in its own right.

[5] V. cumingi is found in the southern Philippines, where it is distributed on Mindanao and a few small nearby islands.

[2] V. cumingi has the highest degree of yellow coloration among all the endemic water monitors in the Philippines.

[1] The diet of V. cumingi is composed of rodents, birds, fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates, including eggs and carrion.