Aspidoscelis

Aspidoscelis is a genus of lizards in the family Teiidae, commonly known as whiptails. They are New World lizards distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to parts of South America. The current boundaries of the genus reflect taxonomic revisions in the late 20th century that separated many New World whiptails from the older genus Cnemidophorus.

Members are slender, fast-moving ground-dwellers with long tails and elongated bodies. They possess keeled scales and typically display distinctive coloration or banding that aids camouflage in open, arid, and semi-arid habitats such as deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. They are diurnal and primarily insectivorous, taking a variety of invertebrates and occasionally plant material.

Reproduction varies among species. Most Aspidoscelis reproduce sexually, with distinct male and female individuals. Several North American species, however, are parthenogenetic, producing offspring from unfertilized eggs; well-known examples include Aspidoscelis neomexicana and Aspidoscelis uniparens. All known species are generally oviparous, laying eggs that hatch into young.

Conservation status ranges by species; many are common within their habitats, while others are threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, or climate change. The genus is of interest to researchers studying evolution, biogeography, and reproductive modes due to the diversity of forms and reproductive strategies within Aspidoscelis.