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Snowbound Hero Rescues Cold-Weakened Tegu Lizard

2/1/2026

40 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A Rhode Island man found a large tegu lizard buried in nearly 20 inches of snow while clearing his driveway.
Frostbite and prolonged cold exposure weakened the lizard.
The man wrapped the lizard in a T-shirt to conserve heat.
ET Reptiles retrieved the lizard, diagnosing cold-induced myopathy.
The animal is now stable and recovering.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, occurring from March 11-14, paralyzed the northeastern United States, causing over 400 deaths and snowdrifts exceeding 50 inches. This catastrophic storm prompted significant changes in infrastructure, including the development of underground rail systems. The blizzard's unexpected severity highlighted the dangers of extreme weather, a theme echoed in recent wildlife challenges amid changing climate conditions.

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Story summary

A Rhode Island man found a large tegu lizard buried in nearly 20 inches of snow while clearing his driveway.
Frostbite and prolonged cold exposure weakened the lizard.
The man wrapped the lizard in a T-shirt to conserve heat.
ET Reptiles retrieved the lizard, diagnosing cold-induced myopathy.
The animal is now stable and recovering.

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