Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge

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Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge Established to prevent the extinction and help recover federally-listed cave species, reduce the need to list other species, and protect Ozark forest.

This refuge protects a diverse ecosystem comprised of continuous stands of forests overlying underground caves and tunnels, aquifers, underground streams and pools. Commenting Policy
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Timber rattlesnakes occur in a variety of habitats but are often encountered near the summit of rocky ridge outcroppings...
09/01/2026

Timber rattlesnakes occur in a variety of habitats but are often encountered near the summit of rocky ridge outcroppings and within rock crevices and ledges. During the heat of late-summer, timber rattlesnakes often become crepuscular or nocturnal. August is the peak of the timber rattlesnake breeding season in Oklahoma. Here, two large timber rattlesnakes were encountered near the top of a steep southerly rocky slope in the Ozark Highlands of Oklahoma. A southerly rocky slope helps maximizes sun exposure. In late August, as the nights start getting slightly cooler, these snakes rely on these rocky areas to stay warm while they expend massive amounts of energy searching for mates.

When climbing steep, rocky slopes, be careful where you put your hands, especially near ledges or rock crevices. These are the exact spots rattlesnakes use for basking or escaping the heat.

Photo Credits: Richard Stark/USFWS

Happy Bat Appreciation Day 2026! 🦇 Bats are incredible animals that play vital roles in various ecosystems. Bats save bi...
04/17/2026

Happy Bat Appreciation Day 2026! 🦇 Bats are incredible animals that play vital roles in various ecosystems. Bats save billions in agriculture by consuming vast amounts of insects, acting as natural pest control. Bats pollinate over 500 plant species, including bananas, mangoes, and cacao. Bat guano in cave ecosystems support a diverse array of unique cave fauna. Bats also are the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight!

Photos Credits:
Ozark big-eared bats in hand, Jena Donnell, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Roosting Ozark big-eared bats, Richard Stark/USFWS

The refuge is working with researchers from the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Co...
04/03/2026

The refuge is working with researchers from the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy and the San Antonio Zoo on a multiple year mark-recapture study of the rare and endemic Oklahoma cave crayfish. This species has a very limited distribution and currently is known only from a cave on Ozark Plateau NWR and three other caves on nearby private land. Traditional survey methods consist of counting individual crayfish we encounter while in the cave. This survey technique, while providing useful information, has limitations in regard to understanding population size. Cave crayfish can occur throughout the subterranean aquatic habitat in spaces that are too small for human access, so we can't find or see all of them. To improve our understanding of crayfish abundance, researchers are uniquely marking each captured crayfish by injecting a non-toxic acrylic-based polymer to specific tail segments. The polymer comes in multiple colors that fluoresce under UV light. These unique markings allow researchers to identify individuals already captured during previous survey efforts so that, overtime, we will begin to develop a much better understanding of the population size by comparing the total number captured to the number recaptured. A concurrent lab-based study of behavior and reproduction in the species has confirmed that the marking method lasts and is safe. An animal in the lab was marked four years ago. Her marks are exactly the same and she continues to thrive. She also laid eggs and those babies hatched and are healthy and growing.

Address

16602 County Road 465
Colcord, OK

Telephone

+19183260156

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