It has a pointed snout, excellent eyesight and hearing, sharp teeth, and a prehensile tail that measures two-thirds of its total length.

The species grows to a maximum of 61 cm, and weighs between 100 and 350 g. Varanus timorensis live in hollowed trees and branches, the spotted coloration helps them camouflage into the surrounding habitats.

Their diet consist of a variety of invertebrates, such as scorpions, orthopterans, spiders, mantids, bees and cockroaches, and other lizards, such as geckos, as well as small snakes.

Frequently bred in captivity, this monitor is also still imported in small numbers for the exotic pet trade.

Wild-caught specimens can be nervous and difficult to handle, but captive-raised animals are much less shy.