A sure sign of spring: Mojave Max emerges from burrow

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 | 4:02 p.m.

Mojave Max, the famous Southern Nevada desert tortoise, emerged from his burrow at 2:17 p.m. today, marking the beginning of spring weather.

This is the second latest Mojave Max has emerged from his burrow in 16 years, Clark County officials said.

The latest was April 17 in 2012. The earliest was Feb. 14 in 2005.

Mojave Max calls Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area home. Like other Southern Nevada reptiles, he enters a burrow to brumate — the reptilian form of hibernation — every winter and emerges each spring.

Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours and his own internal clock contribute to his emergence every year, official said.

As part of the 16th annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, students have been studying Mojave Desert weather, temperatures and conditions to scientifically estimate when they believed Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow, officials said. They entered their guesses online at mojavemax.com.

The entries are being tabulated and the contest winner will be announced soon. The winner will receive prizes, including a yearlong pass to national parks and recreation areas, a laptop computer and a digital camera.

The winner’s entire class will receive a pizza party, a field trip to Mojave Max’s habitat and Mojave Max Olympic-style medals and T-shirts. The winner’s teacher will get a laptop computer.