VU

Aspidoscelis martyris

Stable

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Aspidoscelis martyris faces severe habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The species' restricted distribution to specific desert scrub habitats makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances. Introduced predators and competitors, along with collection pressure for the pet trade, compound the threats to remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This whiptail lizard inhabits arid desert scrublands and rocky outcrops in the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It prefers areas with sparse vegetation, sandy soils, and scattered rocks that provide shelter and basking sites.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in TEIIDAE

VU

Contomastix vacariensis

Declining
CR

Redonda Ground Lizard

Pholidoscelis atratus

Declining
EN

Censky's Ameiva

Pholidoscelis corax

Unknown
EN

Jamaica Ameiva

Pholidoscelis dorsalis

Declining

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Aspidoscelis martyris classified as Vulnerable?
Aspidoscelis martyris is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Aspidoscelis martyris faces severe habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The species' restricted distribution to specific desert scrub habitats makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances. Introduced predators and competitors, along with collection pressure for the pet trade, compound the threats to remaining populations.
Where does Aspidoscelis martyris live?
Aspidoscelis martyris occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Aspidoscelis martyris?
The main threats to Aspidoscelis martyris are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.