TEXAS — Alaska has its fat bears, and now Texas has its…fat squirrels?
For years, Katmai National Park has been hosting an annual battle of the brown bears vying for the title of the fattest bear of the year during its Fat Bear Week. The contest normally occurs at the end of September before the bears hibernate for the winter and has garnered a lot of online attention.
But now, it’s Texas’ turn to go nuts!
Texas Parks and Wildlife is hosting its inaugural Fat Squirrel Week, where state parks are competing to decide which is home to the chunkiest rodent in the Lone Star State.
“Move over bears… it’s Texas’ turn to showcase the fluffiest, chubbiest SQUIRRELS around!” Texas Parks and Wildlife said in a post on Facebook. “This week, follow #TexasFatSquirrels to meet some of the stoutest squirrels in the state as they get ready for winter.”
The competition is well underway. What started with eight rotund squirrels has been whittled down to four duking it out for a spot in the finals. Voting ends for the semifinal round at 6 p.m. Thursday, and the finals will take place on Friday.
The remaining rodents are Chunk Norris from Fort Richardson State Park facing off against Nutella from Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Stanley “The Texas Tank” from Cleburne State Park going up against Chunkosaurus Rex from Dinosaur Valley State Park.
To take part in the fun, all you have to do is like, comment or tag a friend on the photo of your favorite squirrel, which are all on each of the state parks’ Facebook pages.