Colubridae
Soosan Tiger Snake
HarmlessTelescopus tessellatus

The Soosan Tiger Snake (Telescopus tessellatus) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Soosan Tiger Snake
Telescopus tessellatus, commonly known as the Soosan tiger snake or the Soosan viper, is a snake in the Colubridae family. It is found in western Iran and eastern Iraq. It occurs in rocky places, scrubland, montane areas, and rocky steppe. It is currently listed as of "least concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Soosan Tiger Snake
- Is the Soosan Tiger Snake venomous?
- The Soosan Tiger Snake (Telescopus tessellatus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
- Is the Soosan Tiger Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Soosan Tiger Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Soosan Tiger Snake dangerous?
- The Soosan Tiger Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Soosan Tiger Snake live?
- The Soosan Tiger Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Afghanistan. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Cat SnakeTelescopus fallax
Common Tiger SnakeTelescopus semiannulatus
Arabian Cat SnakeTelescopus dhara
Karoo Tiger SnakeTelescopus beetzi
North African CatsnakeTelescopus tripolitanus
Hoogstraal's catsnakeTelescopus hoogstraali
West African Cat SnakeTelescopus variegatus
Blue Nile Cat SnakeTelescopus gezirae
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Telescopus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Telescopus tessellatus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.