Ranger Captures Rattlesnake At Oologah Lake

A ranger's discovery near Oologah Lake over the weekend is a reminder that rattlesnakes are present in northeast Oklahoma.

The ranger spotted the timber rattlesnake crossing the road at the Spencer Creek Campground on the east side of Oologah Lake. 

Ranger Matt Nolen said the rattler was just shy of three feet long. He said the ranger who captured it used an ice chest to keep it safe. Nolen contacted his counterpart at Skiatook Lake, knowing that the project office there has a nature center with live animals.

The nature center at Skiatook was looking to replace the timber rattlesnake that had recently died, so Ranger Nolen took the snake there.

Nolen said rangers usually see one or two timber rattlesnakes a year in the Spencer Creek area.