Move over, bears — it’s squirrel season in Texas. The state’s first-ever Fat Squirrel Week crowned its inaugural champion: Chunkosaurus Rex, a plump resident of Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose. The contest, hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), invited Texans to vote online for their favorite fluffy contenders, shining a light on the state’s thriving park wildlife.
As CBS Texas reported, Chunkosaurus Rex out-chonked 15 other squirrels in a bracket-style competition modeled after Alaska’s popular Fat Bear Week. The friendly battle drew thousands of votes and comments from park visitors and wildlife fans statewide.
Texas held its first-ever Fat Squirrel Week to celebrate local wildlife.
A Bracket of Bushy-Tailed Contenders
The contest began with 16 squirrels representing parks across Texas. Photos of each competitor—complete with playful nicknames like “Nutella,” “Stanley the Texas Tank,” and “Chunk Norris”—were posted on individual park Facebook pages for public voting. Fans liked, commented, and tagged friends to push their favorites through each round.
The final showdown came down to Chunkosaurus Rex from Dinosaur Valley and Chunk Norris from Fort Richardson State Park. When the dust (and fur) settled, Chunkosaurus claimed the crown.
“Dinosaur Valley is proud to be the home of this behemoth,” park staff wrote in celebration, encouraging other competitors to “start working on your winter physique” for next year’s event, according to MySanAntonio.
Fun with a Purpose
While the competition delivered plenty of laughs, it also served a serious purpose. TPWD said the goal was to highlight how animals prepare for the colder months, when squirrels depend on extra fat reserves to survive. The event encouraged Texans to connect with local parks and better understand native species’ seasonal habits.
“Move over bears… it’s Texas’ turn to showcase the fluffiest, chubbiest squirrels around!” the agency wrote on social media. The lighthearted tone and social media engagement helped the campaign reach audiences far beyond park regulars, sparking a wave of “chunky squirrel” fan art and memes across the state.
Nature Awareness through Humor
For TPWD, humor proved to be an effective way to make conservation relatable. As the Houston Chronicle reports, Fat Squirrel Week was designed to get people talking about the animals often overlooked in favor of more iconic species. It reminded Texans that wildlife worth celebrating can be found not only in remote parks but also in their own backyards.
“Chunkosaurus is a fan favorite at Dinosaur Valley State Park,” TPWD wrote in a post. “He moves surprisingly fast in the quest for acorns and camper crumbs.”
The contest may have started as a joke, but its message—celebrating nature in all shapes and sizes—clearly struck a chord. Judging by the public response, Fat Squirrel Week may soon become a new fall tradition in Texas, one nut at a time.
