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The Beloved Olympic Mascots Are Color-Changing Critters that Are Vulnerable to Climate Change
The stoats’ camouflage mismatch due to earlier white molting raises predation risks, illustrating climate impacts on winter species and sports, experts warn.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 the Games unveiled stoat mascots Tina and Milo, who appear at venues and on sold-out merchandise in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
- Scientific studies show climate-driven shorter winters increase camouflage mismatches for stoats and about 20 other color-changing species, as stoats molt white triggered by shortening day length even without snow.
- Evidence from experiments and surveys links camouflage failure to higher mortality, and projections indicate declines for color-changing species over the next couple of decades if they don't adapt, scientists warn.
- Responding on Thursday, Christophe Dubi suggested the mascot narrative could include environmental change, while Granata urged the committee to use the mascots to educate the public.
- The stoat and winter sports share a linked future, as researchers say snow availability will shrink future host locations and threaten stoats and other snow-reliant wildlife.
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66 Articles
66 Articles
Pioneer Press+53 Reposted by 53 other sources
The beloved Olympic mascots are color-changing critters that are vulnerable to climate change
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT and BRITTANY PETERSON CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The pair of animals chosen as mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are stoats — weasel-like creatures that are at risk because of climate change. One of them is brown and the other is white, because in cold climates, the tiny animals’ fur changes from brown to white for winter, to blend in with the landscape. Related Articles Olympic pin mania…
·Saint Paul, United States
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Associated Press News+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
In real life, the Olympic mascot is a weasel-like animal at risk because of climate change
The two animals chosen as the mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are stoats, a weasel-like animal that’s at risk because of climate change.
·United States
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Total News Sources66
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center45Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
13%
C 83%
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