Inaugural Fat Marmot Week is here – cast your vote

Move over, bears. There’s a new chonky champion in town.

The very first Fat Marmot Week kicked off Monday, and yes, you get to vote — and yes, this is the contest we all deserve right now.

Marmots are actually the largest true hibernators on Earth, which means they have to bulk up to survive. We’re talking a seven-to-eight month snooze where they literally live off their fat reserves. Honestly? Goals.

Researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado — who adorably call themselves “The Marmoteers” — decided that kind of dedication to weight gain deserves to be celebrated, not shamed.

And they’re not wrong. If I hibernated for eight months straight, I’d want a trophy too.

Head online to cast your vote for your favorite fluffy contestant. No body shaming, all good vibes — just pure, wholesome appreciation for a little creature who has truly mastered the art of winter prep.

Same, little buddy. Same.

Fat Marmot Week voting underway now. Because Colorado is wonderful and weird, and we love it.