Varanus gilleni, also known as the Gillen's Monitor or Pygmy Mulga Monitor, is one of the smaller arboreal monitors in Australia. Adults typically have a snout-vent length (excluding the tail) of around 14-16cm.

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The coloration of Gillen's Monitors is generally gray, although some localities may have a reddish-brown tinge on the back. They have a light-colored to cream underside with dark thin bands across the body and tail base. The tail bands are longitudinal but somewhat broken up.

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The distribution of Varanus gilleni covers central Australia, including the northern portion of South Australia, central Northern Territory, and the northern portion of Western Australia. They are an arboreal species often associated with desert oaks and mulga in arid zones, where they can be found sheltering under loose bark and in hollows.

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Gillen's Monitors are popular in the reptile-keeping hobby due to their easy care requirements and small size. Once settled in, they become well habituated to human interaction and presence, and tong and hand feeding can be easily established as they mature. They are known for their personable nature and often display a bit of a clownish behavior. Gillen's Monitors hold a special place for many keepers as they are often the first monitors they have kept and bred.

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Husbandry for Gillen's Monitors is relatively easy. They thrive in hot and dry conditions.

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Enclosure size: As arboreal monitors, they prefer enclosures with more vertical space, but they adapt well to standard shorter enclosures. A minimum enclosure length or height of 80cm should be considered. While they can be kept in smaller enclosures, they are quite active.

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Substrate and furnishings: Sand substrate is suitable for this species. Providing plenty of hollows for hides and stacked layers of bark vertically can create a suitable habitat.

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Temperatures and lighting: Adequate UVB lighting is essential. A basking hot spot under a bright lamp directed onto a rock or tiled surface is ideal, with temperatures ranging from 50-65°C. The ambient heat gradient over the rest of the enclosure should be around 28-33°C during the warmer active months.

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Humidity: While Gillen's Monitors are from an arid environment, they benefit from a light misting every few days and the provision of a humidity hide.

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Feeding: The bulk of their diet should consist of crickets, wood roaches, and insects, with regular dusting of calcium powder and vitamins. Occasional additions to their diet can include chopped pinkie mice, lean turkey or chicken mince, chopped chicken hearts, boiled chicken egg, quail egg, and chopped day-old quail. Offering a well-balanced variety of food is important. Care should be taken to avoid overfeeding, as this species appears to be susceptible to becoming overweight.

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Life span: Varanus gilleni has a recorded lifespan of over 10 years in captivity.