Mojave Max Has Emerged! April 15, 2021 at 11:34 am.

Mojave Max officially emerged from his burrow Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:34 am. The earliest he has emerged was February 14, 2005 at 11:55 am. The latest he has emerged is April 17, 2012, at 12:41 pm. Mojave Max is a live desert tortoise who calls the Las Vegs 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 22nd annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, students from Clark County, Nevada have been studying Mojave Desert weather, temperatures, and conditions to scientifically estimate when they believe Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow in 2021. 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 a Springs Preserve year-long family membership, an “America the Beautiful” year-long pass to National Parks and Federal Recreation areas, a laptop computer and a digital camera. The winner’s entire class will receive a virtual field trip to the Springs Preserve, Mojave Max Olympic-style medals, and T-shirts, while the winner’s teacher will receive a laptop computer.