Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory introduces competitors for Fat Marmot Week

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) is celebrating marmots by hosting its own Fat Marmot Week.

RMBL says its RMBL Marmot Project, which is one of the world's longest running study of wild mammals, will look at the bulking yellow-bellied marmots do to prepare for hibernation. Fat Marmot Week is a chance for the project to share information about the animals while having some fun.

According to RMBL, yellow-bellied marmots are found widely throughout the Rocky Mountains, and researchers have been collecting data on the animals since 1962.

The marmots have already been chosen, and voting for your favorite fat marmot starts on Aug. 24. RMBL says the marmots are named after the fur marks the researchers use to identify them. Researchers use a non-toxic fur dye to help track the animals and learn about their social behaviors.

Dan's Hat, Dawn, Open Kite and Citroen are this year's competitors for Fat Marmot Week.

As the competition ramps up, RMBL says they are sharing more information about the animals and sharing the science behind their bulking. To learn more about all the competitors, visit the Fat Marmot Week webpage.

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