William "Marty" Martin, a renowned snake researcher who dedicated his life's work to the study of timber rattlesnakes, died last week after he was bitten by a snake on the property of his West Virginia home. The man was 80.
The first instance of timber rattlesnakes in Virginia was documented by Martin when he was 13 years old.
He was a founding member of the Virginia Herpetological Society at the age of 17 and for 30 years he was a member of the International Union for Conservancy of Nature.
The 472-page book "The Timber Rattlesnake: Life History, Distribution, Status, andConservation Action Plan" was written by Martin.
Joe Villari, manager of the Bull Run Mountains Preserve, paid tribute to Martin in a lengthy Facebook post, calling him a true original in every sense of the word.
Villari, who was also a friend of the "absolute rattlesnake legend," noted that Martin acted as one of snakes' "earliest ambassadors."
He said that his happiness was tied to the presence and well-being of venomous snake populations, especially his beloved timbers.
John Sealy said that Martin was the foremost authority on timber rattlers in the community of snake experts.
Sealy told The Associated Press that they are secretive.
The timber rattlesnake is a large pit viper with a wide distribution across the eastern half of the U.S.
There are reports of adult timber rattlesnakes reaching lengths of up to 5 feet.
According to data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, there are very few deaths from snakebites in the U.S.
Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the US each year, but only five of them die.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
