It is long-neck, with angular brow, powerful limbs and long, laterally compressed tail. It can stand on its back legs and tail to get a better view of the surround, as well as being fast sprinters.

It is strikingly different to the Gould’s Goanna, with a cream to white heavily speckled against a dark brown to black background. The pale coloured spots are arranged in rows across the body and tail.
 

In late 2005, University of Melbourne researchers discovered that perenties and goannas and other monitors are venomous.

The perentie is also feature in Aboriginal mythology and dreamtime stories, as well as depicted in many pieces of Aboriginal art.