Exotic Tegu Lizard Rescued After Snowstorm in Rhode Island

A man in Providence, Rhode Island, experienced quite a surprise while clearing snow from a recent winter storm. He found a large exotic tegu lizard buried beneath approximately 20 inches of snow. The New England Wildlife Center (NEWC) reported that the lizard, named “Frankie,” was alive and needed to be brought inside quickly to warm up.

Describing the unusual find, NEWC remarked on social media that even the most seasoned New Englanders wouldn’t have expected to encounter a lizard in such conditions. Frankie, which is a black-and-white tegu, was seen struggling to emerge from the snow.

The man wrapped Frankie in a T-shirt and called for assistance from a reptile expert. The local reptile store, ET Reptiles, responded promptly. They expressed gratitude on Facebook for having the opportunity to help the lizard after it was rescued from the snow.

After the storm that hit Rhode Island on Sunday, veterinarians assessed Frankie and found her to be in a serious state—weak, underweight, and with limited movement. Further examination revealed that she had suffered frostbite on her tongue and was experiencing significant muscle weakness due to exposure to the cold.

In the course of treatment, the veterinarians had to remove some of the damaged tissue from her tongue and provided supportive care, including steroids to help with inflammation and overall weakness.

Fortunately, Frankie is now recovering and is reportedly resting comfortably as she warms up. NEWC updated the public through social media, expressing their hope for positive outcomes in her recovery process.

Tegu lizards, originally from South America, are popular pets. However, ET Reptiles cautioned that they are not able to survive the harsh winters in New England. It remains unclear how Frankie ended up in such a perilous situation, whether she escaped or was intentionally released.

Animal control was contacted, but according to Taylor Faria, co-owner of ET Reptiles, no calls concerning missing reptiles had been received. Anyone who has information about Frankie or a missing tegu lizard is urged to reach out to the New England Wildlife Center or ET Reptiles.