Fat Marmot Week: Vote for the Chunkiest Hibernator
The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) Marmot Project is hosting Fat Marmot Week, an online event inviting the public to vote for the 'chonkiest' yellow-bellied marmot. Round 2 contestants include Dawn, who 'likes the taste of rocks,' and Goblin, known for running between burrows. These alpine rodents are bulking up on plants, flowers, grasses, and seeds to survive seven to eight months of hibernation underground, emerging in April or May. The Marmot Project, initiated in 1962, is the longest-running mammal research project after Jane Goodall's chimpanzee study in Tanzania. After funding cuts, researchers raised approximately $100,000 through an 'OnlyMarms' campaign. Voting runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST on August 26, with subsequent rounds on August 28, the estimated weight winner announced August 29, and the popular vote winner on August 30. The event aims to inspire care for marmots and highlight their survival strategies.
Key facts
- Fat Marmot Week is hosted by the Marmot Project at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL).
- Yellow-bellied marmots in the Rocky Mountains are preparing for hibernation by gaining weight.
- Round 2 contestants include Dawn and Goblin.
- The Marmot Project began in 1962 and is the longest-running mammal research project after Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research.
- Researchers raised around $100,000 through an 'OnlyMarms' campaign after funding cuts.
- Voting is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST on August 26.
- The next round is on August 28, 2026.
- The marmot with the largest estimated weight will be announced on August 29.
- The winner of the popular vote will be announced on August 30.
Entities
Institutions
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
- Marmot Project
- UCLA College
- uOttawa Science
Locations
- Rocky Mountains
- Tanzania