Daniel Blumstein has faced ongoing financial challenges in his extensive study of yellow-bellied marmots, exacerbated by recent cuts in environmental research funding under the Trump administration. The inspiration for a unique solution struck him while watching the Apple TV show “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” leading him to consider leveraging their collection of amusing marmot videos for financial support.
Prompted by this idea, one of his graduate students at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado swiftly created an OnlyFans account named “OnlyMarms.” Despite OnlyFans’ reputation for explicit content, Blumstein emphasized that OnlyMarms remains family-friendly.
Every Monday and Friday since June, the team has been sharing new and light-hearted images of individual marmots along with their bios. In an upcoming initiative called “Fat Marmot Week,” the public will be invited to vote in a bracket-style tournament, similar to the popular “Fat Bear Week” at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, to celebrate the marmots’ need to bulk up before hibernation.
Blumstein’s laboratory focuses on studying yellow-bellied marmots, particularly their aging process and responses to climate change. This study, ongoing since 1962, is the second-longest research on individually identifiable wild mammals after Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees. The longevity of the research provides valuable insights into aging and epigenetics, shedding light on how environmental factors impact genetic functions.
In a bid to promote body positivity, Blumstein highlighted the necessity for marmots to gain weight to survive hibernation. Despite facing repeated funding rejections, he has managed to sustain his research through collaborations and external grants. The OnlyMarms project has raised around $3,000 US since its launch in June, though additional funding is required for continued research efforts.
Blumstein acknowledged the limitations of the OnlyFans funding model, citing the platform’s commission and tax implications. He encourages marmot enthusiasts to support the project directly by donating to UCLA.
