Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has kicked off its inaugural Fat Squirrel Week, a lighthearted bracket competition among squirrels from 16 state parks, with fans voting on their fluffiness and charm online.
The contest is inspired by Alaska’s well-known Fat Bear Week, but here the focus is on squirrels getting ready for winter—begging nuts, stuffing cheeks, and building up body mass.
Organizers say the event is meant to raise awareness of wildlife behavior in fall and to engage Texans with their local parks in a fun and community-driven way.