Marmot's Winter Prep Wins Big in Viral Contest

Dawn, a six-year-old yellow-bellied marmot, has been crowned the champion of the inaugural Fat Marmot Week 2026, weighing a remarkable 6kg. This victory came after Dawn secured back-to-back wins in mass-gain and popular-vote competitions during the event, which ran from August 24 to August 29, 2026. The competition garnered over 23,000 votes, highlighting public engagement with the marmot research project.

The initiative originated from researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, who turned to platforms like OnlyFans to combat federal science funding cuts. Their OnlyMarms account and a created cryptocurrency have successfully raised over $100,000, demonstrating innovative fundraising in the face of financial challenges. This financial boost is critical for a project that began in 1962.

Fat Marmot Week coincides with the period when yellow-bellied marmots significantly increase their body weight, nearly doubling it to prepare for approximately five months of hibernation. This weight gain is crucial for survival, as marmots can lose up to half their body mass during winter. The competition celebrates this natural process while raising awareness for the ongoing research.