Also known commonly as Glauert's monitor and the Kakadu sand goanna,[5] it belongs to the subgenus Odatria.

[6] The specific name, glauerti, is in honor of English-born Australian herpetologist Ludwig Glauert.

[5] V. glauerti is found in the extreme northwestern part of the Australian state of Western Australia, and in the northern tip of Northern Territory.

[citation needed] V. glauerti lives almost exclusively on rocky cliff faces, but is also found in humid forests.

[1][4] V. glauerti preys upon insects such as caterpillars, cockroaches, and orthopterans, and also upon small lizards such as geckos and their eggs.