Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Kids can predict when Mojave Max will emerge, win big prizes

Mojave Max

Courtesy Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association

Mojave Max explores his pen at Red Rock Canyon’s visitor center Tuesday, March 29, 2011, shortly after emerging from his burrow for the spring. Max’s return to activity is said to mark the start of spring in Southern Nevada.

Question: When will Mojave Max emerge from his burrow?

It’s that time of year again for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to make their best guess. The 2016 Mojave Max Emergence Contest opened today.

Mojave Max, a desert tortoise, lives at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, but when chilly weather hits the valley, he begins brumation — a hibernation-like state for cold-blooded animals.

The student whose guess is the closest to the correct day, hour and minute that Mojave Max emerges from his burrow will win the contest.

Here’s a hint: Earlier this year, Mojave Max emerged from his burrow at 2:17 p.m. on April 15. His earliest emergence was in 2005, when he crawled out at 11:55 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.

Students enrolled in public, private or registered home schools may enter the contest.

The winner will receive a laptop computer, digital camera and an “America the Beautiful” yearlong pass to national parks and federal recreation areas.

Plus, the winner and his or her entire class will be awarded T-shirts, Mojave Max Olympic-style medals, a pizza party and a field trip to Red Rock. The winner’s teacher will receive a laptop computer, too.

Visit mojavemax.com and click on the “emergence contest” button to enter. Entries will be accepted until Mojave Max emerges, said Heather Green, with the Desert Conservation Program.

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