It sounds like the punchline to a bizarre joke, but for one Providence resident, the "Lizard in a Blizzard" became a startling reality this week. In a story that has captivated social media and confused locals, a routine morning of snow removal turned into a life-saving mission when a two-foot-long Argentine black and white tegu was discovered buried alive under 20 inches of snow. Now affectionately nicknamed "Frankie," the tropical reptile is fighting for his life, becoming the face of funny local news 2026 and a testament to resilience in the face of New England's brutal winter.

A Shocking Discovery in Providence

The incident occurred in the aftermath of the massive nor'easter that blanketed Rhode Island late last week. A Providence homeowner, whose name has not been released, was shoveling his driveway when his shovel grazed something unexpected beneath the drift. Expecting a buried branch or trash, he was stunned to see a scaly, clawed foot.

Buried beneath nearly two feet of packed snow was a large, black-and-white lizard, motionless and cold to the touch. "This is not something even the most snow-hardened New Englander would expect to find," a representative from the New England Wildlife Center (NEWC) shared in a statement. The homeowner acted quickly, wrapping the freezing animal in a warm T-shirt and rushing it indoors—a critical decision that likely saved the creature's life.

The Rush to Rescue Frankie the Lizard

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the finder immediately contacted ET Reptiles, a specialist reptile store and rescue based in nearby Warwick. Co-owners Taylor and Emily responded instantly, racing to retrieve the animal. They identified the reptile as a tegu, a species native to the tropical rainforests of South America—thousands of miles away from the icy streets of Providence.

The Rhode Island tegu rescue team transported Frankie to the New England Wildlife Center's veterinary hospital, where doctors began emergency triage. The lizard was in critical condition, suffering from severe hypothermia and dehydration. "Frankie was extremely weak, underweight, and barely responsive," the center reported. "His body temperature was dangerously low, shutting down his metabolic functions."

Fighting Frostbite and Infection

Veterinarians discovered that Frankie had sustained significant cold-related injuries. He had severe frostbite on his tongue and several toes, a common but dangerous affliction for cold-blooded animals exposed to freezing temperatures. In a delicate procedure performed earlier this week, vets had to amputate a portion of his tongue to prevent the spread of necrosis.

"He is currently on a course of antibiotics and steroids to treat inflammation and prevent infection," the NEWC updated yesterday. "While he is resting comfortably and finally warm, he is not out of the woods yet." The viral animal video of Frankie slowly warming up has garnered thousands of views, with people from across the globe sending well-wishes.

Weird Rhode Island News: How Did He Get There?

As Frankie the lizard RI recovers, the question on everyone's mind is: How did a tropical lizard end up buried in a Rhode Island blizzard? Animal control officers and the rescue team are investigating two possibilities: either Frankie escaped from a nearby home during the summer and managed to survive until the storm, or he was intentionally abandoned.

Tegus are popular in the exotic pet rescue stories community but require specialized care, including large enclosures and high humidity. "They are incredibly intelligent animals, often called the 'dogs' of the reptile world," explained a herpetology expert. "But when people realize how big they get—up to four feet—they sometimes make the cruel choice to release them."

In states like Florida, tegus have become an invasive species, but in the freezing Northeast, a released tegu is a death sentence. Frankie's survival under 20 inches of snow is nothing short of a biological miracle.

Updates on Frankie's Recovery

As of Wednesday morning, February 4, 2026, Frankie's condition has upgraded from critical to stable but guarded. He has begun to show small signs of improvement, reacting to stimuli and moving his remaining limbs more fluidly. The veterinary team at NEWC is cautiously optimistic.

"Recovery will take time, patience, and a lot of support," ET Reptiles posted in a heartwarming update. "But Frankie is showing us just how strong he can be." For now, he remains in the hospital's intensive care unit, basking under heat lamps that simulate the South American sun he was built for.

While this weird Rhode Island news story has an amusing headline, it serves as a stark reminder about the responsibilities of exotic pet ownership. For Frankie, the "Lizard in a Blizzard," the forecast finally looks a little warmer.