Texas Parks Host Annual Fat Squirrel Week Competition

Sixteen state parks are crowning the plumpest squirrel as winter preparations ramp up.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a plump squirrel on an oak branch, reflecting the seasonal wildlife preparations in Texas state parks. — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is hosting its annual Fat Squirrel Week competition, inviting the public to vote for the plumpest rodents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support state parks hosting social media-based wildlife photo contests?

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is hosting its annual Fat Squirrel Week competition, featuring squirrels from 16 state parks across the state. The event highlights the natural behavior of squirrels as they stockpile food to increase body mass for the coming winter.

Why it matters

The competition brings attention to seasonal wildlife biology as animals prepare for food scarcity during colder months. It also engages the public with local park ecosystems through social media interaction.

A total of 16 Texas state parks are participating in this year's event. The competition specifically focuses on squirrels that have accumulated body fat in anticipation of winter.

The players

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This state agency is responsible for the management and conservation of natural and cultural resources in Texas.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Located in Somervell County, this park is one of the 16 sites participating in the squirrel competition.

The details

Texans can participate in the contest by visiting the Facebook pages of individual state parks to vote for their favorite squirrel photos. Participants cast their votes by liking, commenting on, or tagging a friend in the photos, with contenders like Dinosaur Valley State Park's Acornosaurus Rex vying for the title.

The Fat Squirrel Week competition begins on October 18, 2026.
The competition concludes on October 23, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This competition follows the engagement pattern set by popular digital wildlife contests that utilize social media to raise awareness about animal survival behaviors. Such events have become a staple in seasonal tourism marketing, encouraging digital engagement with state park systems during the fall.

Residents can follow their favorite local park's social media pages to participate in the voting process throughout the week. Be sure to check individual park pages frequently, as engagement metrics depend on likes, comments, and tags on the specific squirrel photo entries.

The takeaway

Wildlife enthusiasts can support park engagement by participating in these online events which track seasonal biological changes. Watching these squirrels provides a unique perspective on the survival strategies necessary for winter endurance in the wild.