Mojave Max, the famous desert tortoise, officially emerged from his burrow on Monday, Feb. 14 at 11:55 am.  His emergence this year is the earliest to date! 

Mojave Max is a live desert tortoise that resides at the Red Rock 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 that contribute to his emergence every year. 

Clark County experienced unusually warm weather in January with temperatures soaring into the 70’s.  This beautiful weather condition, combined with plentiful rainfall, appears to have contributed to Mojave Max’s early emergence this year.

Mojave Max’s emergence marks the beginning of spring weather in Southern Nevada. This means that Clark County residents will soon be enjoying sunshine and warm temperatures!