Mojave Max is a live desert tortoise residing at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Like other Southern Nevada desert tortoises, he enters a burrow to brumate (the reptilian form of hibernation) every winter and emerges every spring. Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours and an internal clock are factors known to contribute to his emergence every year.

"The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is an exceptional teaching tool that provides a clear tie between the health of the environment and the species that depend on it," said Juan Palma, Field Manager, for the Bureau of Land Management Las Vegas Field Office.

Mojave Max’s emergence marks the beginning of spring weather in Southern Nevada. Although Southern Nevada has experienced some warm days in January and February, with temperatures rising above 70, Mojave Max’s emergence does not occur until ground temperatures warm up. This usually occurs after several days of warmth combined with more daylight hours.

As part of the seventh annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, students have been studying Mojave Desert weather, temperatures, and conditions to scientifically estimate when they believed Mojave Max would first emerge from his burrow in 2006. They entered their guesses on line at www.mojavemax.com. The entries are being tabulated and the official winner will be announced soon. The winning student will receive a variety of prizes including a year-long pass to federally managed fee areas and a personal game system. The winner’s entire class will receive a field trip to Mojave Max's habitat, Mojave Max Olympic-style medals and T-shirts, while the winner’s teacher will receive a personal computer.

"Now that Mojave Max has come out of his burrow, spring is officially here," said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, who declared it Mojave Max Day countywide. "Everyone's favorite tortoise is a great ambassador of the desert, helping our local school children understand our environment and how it works."

This year’s emergence marks the latest time that Mojave Max has emerged since the contest began in 2000. "The unseasonably cold March weather undoubtedly contributed to his long winter’s sleep this year," states Christina Gibson of the Clark County Desert Conservation Program.

The historical Mojave Max Emergences and contest entries are as follows:

Mojave Max’s Emergences by year:

Mojave Max Emergence Contest Entries by year: