Exotic Lizard Rescued After Being Found Buried in Rhode Island Snow

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Wildlife officials in Rhode Island rescued a large exotic tegu lizard that was found buried in the snow on Tuesday. A local resident spotted the cold-blooded reptile from his driveway and quickly brought it inside to warm it up. The lizard was taken to an animal hospital, where veterinarians found it to be extremely weak, underweight, and suffering from frostbite and muscle weakness due to prolonged exposure to the cold.

Why it matters

Tegu lizards are native to South America but have become popular in the pet trade, leading to some being abandoned and becoming an invasive species in certain states like Florida. This incident highlights the challenges these reptiles can face in colder climates and the importance of responsible pet ownership.

The details

The tegu lizard was discovered by a Providence resident, who wrapped the reptile in a T-shirt to help conserve heat before contacting wildlife officials. The animal was then taken to a local reptile store, ET Reptiles, which agreed to transport the lizard to an animal hospital. Veterinarians found that a small portion of the tegu's tongue had suffered frostbite and it was experiencing muscle weakness, both common issues for cold-blooded animals exposed to prolonged cold temperatures.

• The tegu lizard was discovered on Tuesday, January 30, 2026.

What’s next

Veterinarians at the animal hospital will continue to monitor and treat the tegu lizard as it recovers from the effects of being buried in the snow.