The Fattest Squirrel In Texas Just Claimed His Crown

Alaska may have Fat Bear week, but here in Texas, we have some fat squirrels! A new fat squirrel has been announced and I cannot lie, I'm kind of obsessed.

The fattest, baddest, nut-loving squirrel around doesn’t just live in North Texas, he rules all of Texas’ state parks. After out-chonking the competition in an online vote, Chunkosaurus Rex of Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose has officially been crowned Fat Squirrel Week champion.

His stomping grounds sit about 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth, a place known for its prehistoric fossils, but now just as famous for its famously fluffy resident.

A Bracket of Bushy-Tailed Beasts in Texas

Hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the quirky contest featured 16 squirrels from state parks across Texas, all battling it out in a bracket-style showdown for the title of Texas’ heftiest rodent.

The event is inspired by Alaska’s beloved Fat Bear Week, but with a Lone Star twist. Instead of hulking bears, Texans got to cheer on their favorite chunky contenders as they packed on the pounds for winter.

This year’s lineup included some true heavy-hitters:

• Chunkosaurus Rex – Dinosaur Valley State Park
• Chunk Norris – Fort Richardson State Park
• Nutella – Lake Mineral Wells State Park
• Stanley “The Texas Tank” – Cleburne State Park

After weeks of online voting, Chunkosaurus Rex took down Chunk Norris in the final round, proving that prehistoric power and a round physique go hand in paw.

READ MORE: Strange Creatures and Cryptids that Call Texas Home

The competition might have started as a lighthearted wildlife campaign, but Texans turned it into a full-on social media showdown.

Each squirrel earned their spot through fan votes and standout seasonal physiques, with their photos quickly going viral under the hashtag #TexasFatSquirrels. From memes and fan art to heartfelt messages cheering on their favorite fluffball, the internet couldn’t get enough of these furry contenders.

Chunkosaurus Rex, in particular, became a sensation, his round belly, stoic pose, and pure Texan confidence turned him into the state’s newest internet hero. Dinosaur Valley State Park now has a new claim to fame: not just its ancient dino tracks, but also its modern-day mascot who’s captured hearts across Texas.

So while Alaska can keep its Fat Bears, we’ll proudly take our Fat Squirrels, chunky, charming, and full of Texas-sized personality.