The Animal Behind the Winter Games Mascot Is Facing a Snowless Future

The mascots of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are stoats — small alpine predators known for their remarkable ability to change fur color with the seasons.

In cold climates, stoats shift from brown in summer to white in winter, blending seamlessly into snowy landscapes. But researchers in the Italian Alps say that natural adaptation is becoming a liability as climate change shortens and destabilizes winters.

According to wildlife scientists, many stoats are turning white before snowfall arrives, leaving them exposed against bare ground and rocky terrain. This phenomenon, known as “camouflage mismatch,” makes them easier targets for predators such as raptors and other carnivores.

Experts note that stoats are not currently endangered, but they are among roughly 20 species worldwide whose seasonal color changes are increasingly misaligned with shifting weather patterns.

While Olympic organizers describe the stoat mascots as symbols of curiosity, energy and Italian spirit, some researchers argue the animals also reflect a deeper environmental reality.

As warming temperatures affect snowfall in mountain regions, both winter wildlife and winter sports face an uncertain future. The stoat, scientists say, shares a symbolic link with the Games themselves, both depend on cold, snowy winters that are becoming less predictable.