Couple's path blocked by massive rattlesnake in Indiana park

Aug. 2 (UPI) -- A couple hiking through an Indiana state park captured video of a massive rattlesnake that slithered across the path and blocked their way.

Clayton Fleener, who recorded the video, which was posted Monday to Facebook by friend Susan Apple, said he was hiking Saturday with his girlfriend, Abigail Kerns, on Tail 9 at Brown County State Park.

Fleener said he and Kerns had heard reports of a timber rattlesnake near Taylor's Ridge, but they were shocked to see the size of the serpent that slithered across the trail in front of them near Lake Ogle.

"We weren't quite ready to see one quite that large though," Fleener told WXIN-TV.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed the animal in Fleener's video was a massive timber rattlesnake.

"I've lived in Brown County all my life and have only seen a copperhead in the park. This was definitely a rare sighting," Fleener said.

The timber rattlesnake is considered an endangered species in the state.

Fleener said he and Kern will not be deterred from hiking by the unusual encounter.