This event congratulates the student who most closely estimated when Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow, which happened at 1:28 pm on Saturday, March 30. More than 7,100 students entered the Mojave Max Emergence Contest this year.

“This is the 20th year that we’ve had this contest, and a whole generation of Southern Nevadans have grown up on Mojave Max,” said County Commissioner Michael Naft, in whose district Pat Diskin is located. “I want to congratulate the winner. I hope that the students at Diskin Elementary and everyone who entered the contest have a greater appreciation for protecting our desert environment.”

The winner’s entire class will be rewarded with a May 2 field trip and pizza party at Springs Preserve, where they’ll meet the live Mojave Max tortoise. At that time, the winner will receive the complete package of prizes, including a Springs Preserve year-long family membership, an “America the Beautiful” year-long pass to all National Parks and Federal Recreation areas, a backpack filled with outdoor goodies and a laptop computer. The winner’s teacher will also receive a laptop computer.

The Mojave Max Education Program is sponsored by a partnership between Clark County, Springs Preserve, Get Outdoors Nevada, and the Clark County School District.

Mojave Max is a live desert tortoise who calls the Las Vegas Springs Preserve his home. Like other Southern Nevada reptiles, he enters a burrow to brumate (the reptilian form of hibernation) every winter and emerges every spring. Mojave Max’s emergence marks the beginning of spring-like weather in Southern Nevada. Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours and his own internal clock are factors known to contribute to his emergence every year.

As part of the 20th annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, students from Clark County, Nevada have been studying Mojave Desert weather, temperatures and conditions to scientifically estimate when they believed Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow in 2019. They entered their guesses online at www.mojavemax.com. The entries are being tabulated and the official winner of the Mojave Max Emergence Contest will be announced soon.  The winning student will receive prizes including an “America the Beautiful” year-long pass to National Parks and Federal Recreation areas, a year-long family pass to Springs Preserve and a laptop computer. The winner’s entire class will receive a field trip, with a pizza party, to Mojave Max’s habitat, Mojave Max Olympic-style medals and T-shirts, while the winner’s teacher will receive a laptop computer.

The Emergence Contest has taken place every year since 2000. Over 7,000 emergence contest guesses were received during this year’s Emergence Contest.

The assemblies include appearances by a Ranger who discusses desert tortoise biology and conservation, an educator who discusses Mojave Desert weather and the Mojave Max mascot.

Students also learn about the Mojave Max Emergence Contest where they can guess when the live Mojave Max tortoise at Springs Preserve will wake up from his winter sleep in the Spring.

The Mojave Max Program provides educational assemblies in Fall and Winter of each year. The assemblies include appearances by a Ranger who discusses desert tortoise biology and conservation, an educator who discusses Mojave Desert weather which plays an important part in Mojave Max’s emergence, and the Mojave Max mascot. Clark County teachers for grades 1-5, if you would like to request a Mojave Max Assembly, please check back next Fall to fill out an application.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a bit lazy right now (that’s allowed, right?!)

When I do get a burst of energy, though, I like to wander outside my burrow before the weather gets too hot and take a look at the pretty flowers.

Stay cool!

Giulia guessed that Mojave Max would emerge on March 23, 2018 at 11:33 am, while Max actually emerged on March 23rd at 11:11 am.

Giulia and her classmates were rewarded with a field trip and pizza party today where Giulia also received her prizes for winning the contest, which included a laptop computer, a digital camera, an “America the Beautiful” year-long pass to all National Parks and a backpack filled with all sorts of items she can use to explore the outdoors. Giulia’s teacher also received a laptop computer.

Congratulations to Giulia Montaldo!

Giulia and her classmates enjoyed a visit by the Mojave Max team and the Mojave Max mascot where she and her classmates received their Mojave Max t-shirts, their Mojave Max Olympic-style medals, a Mojave Max Emergence Contest trophy for their school and a Giulia received a proclamation from Clark County, NV!

Giulia and her class will continue their celebration when they go on their field trip and have a pizza party at Springs Preserve on Tuesday, April 17th where they’ll get to meet the live Mojave Max tortoise and Giulia will receive the rest of her contest prizes!

Congratulations Giulia!!

 This event recognizes the student who most closely estimated when Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow which happened at 11:11 am on March 23, 2018. More than 4,700 students entered the Mojave Max Emergence Contest this year.  

 “This is the 18th year that we’ve had this contest and a whole generation of Las Vegas-area kids has grown up on Mojave Max,” said County Commissioner Susan Brager, in whose district Doral Academy is located. “I want to congratulate Giulia on her win. I hope that she, her classmates and everyone who entered the contest have a greater appreciation for protecting our desert environment.” 

The winner and her entire class will be rewarded with a field trip and pizza party at Springs Preserve on April 17th.  At that time, the winner will receive the rest of her prizes including a digital camera, an “America the Beautiful” year-long pass to all National Parks and Federal Recreation areas and a laptop computer. The winner’s teacher will also receive a laptop computer.

The Mojave Max Education Program is provided by a partnership among Clark County, Get Outdoors Nevada, the Clark County School District, and the Springs Preserve.

Congratulations Giulia!