‘Humongous’ marmot crowned winner in inaugural Fat Marmot Week contest
Summary
Researchers held the first-ever Fat Marmot Week contest to celebrate yellow-bellied marmots gaining weight before hibernation. A marmot named Dawn won the competition after gaining a large amount of weight, and the event also helped raise money through a unique OnlyFans fundraiser to support a long-running marmot study.Key Facts
- Dawn, a six-year-old yellow-bellied marmot, won Fat Marmot Week 2026 by gaining about 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds).
- More than 23,000 votes were cast during the week-long public voting event held from August 24 to 29.
- The contest was inspired by Alaska’s Fat Bear Week and featured eight marmots showing their weight gain before hibernation.
- The marmot study began in 1962 at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and faces funding cuts from the government.
- Scientists created an OnlyFans account, OnlyMarms, showing marmot videos to raise over $100,000 for the research project.
- Marmots double their weight in summer to survive winter hibernation, losing up to half their body weight while underground.
- Marmots eat grasses and wildflowers, and not having enough fat or safe burrows can be fatal during winter.
- Organizers plan to hold Fat Marmot Week again in 2027 with more public voting opportunities.
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