Animal Planet personality and longtime reptile expert Ed Cassano was killed in a tragic hit-and-run after stopping along a rural Arizona highway to look for a snake.

Cassano, 81, who appeared on Animal Planet’s “Fatal Attractions,” was struck and killed on Aug. 7 while traveling through Arizona with a childhood friend.

The Florida wildlife enthusiast had reportedly pulled over and gotten out of the vehicle after spotting a snake near the roadway when tragedy struck.

Authorities say Cassano was hit by a white Ford Fusion allegedly driven by 57-year-old Ricky Finch.

Cassano was found dead in the roadway while the driver allegedly sped away from the scene.

Finch later contacted authorities and turned himself in. He was arrested outside his home in Graham County and booked on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

For Cassano, the circumstances surrounding his death were especially heartbreaking.

The father of two had spent much of his life fascinated by reptiles — particularly snakes — and even landed his Animal Planet appearance because of his extraordinary collection.

At one point, Cassano reportedly lived with roughly 40 snakes, including venomous species.

During his 2010 appearance on “Fatal Attractions,” Cassano described the rush he felt working so closely with dangerous reptiles.

“Every time I go into a venomous snake cage, there’s always a little adrenaline boost,” he said at the time.

Cassano said being just inches away from a potentially deadly snake made the work both challenging and thrilling.

Friends say that passion never faded.

Rhett Stanbury, who knew Cassano for 15 years, remembered him as far more than a fellow reptile enthusiast.

“He was not only a best friend, he was a mentor and father figure,” Stanbury wrote in an emotional tribute.

Stanbury said Cassano helped train him so he could obtain his venomous reptile license in Florida and taught him about photography, repairs and snake hunting.

The pair also traveled together in search of reptiles, including rattlesnakes in Arizona and vipers in Costa Rica.

Cassano was known for keeping some of the world’s largest and most impressive venomous snakes, according to Stanbury, who said his friend cared for his animals throughout their entire lives.

One of Cassano’s ball pythons reportedly lived for an astonishing 60 years.

Despite his love for reptiles, Stanbury said Cassano had another soft spot — his beloved Airedale Terriers.

“He was one of the most caring and compassionate people when it came to animals,” Stanbury wrote.

Now friends are mourning a man they say devoted his life to wildlife and helped shape the lives of countless people around him.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without him,” Stanbury said.