Its prey consists of almost anything that it can overpower. This includes fish, crabs, small birds, rodents, insects and even other monitors. In captivity, this monitor has been observed swinging rodent prey around rapidly by the tail in what appears to be an attempt to stun the animal, before biting at the prey's neck. "Varanus panoptes" frequently preys on the dwarf monitors that it shares its range with. Spiny-tailed goannas and Kimberley rock monitors are eaten regularly. "Varanus panoptes" have great senses, with smell being the most acute. Like all monitors, "Varanus panoptes" has a forked tongue and a vomeronasal organ in the roof of its mouth. It uses this organ in the same manner as snakes do and can often be seen flicking their tongues in search of a meal.