Mojave Max Sets Latest Emergence Record in Southern Nevada

Mojave Max, Southern Nevada's famous desert tortoise and weather prognosticator, emerged from his burrow on May 8, 2025, at 2:09 p.m., setting a new record for his latest emergence, surpassing the previous record set on April 24, 2023. Mojave Max's emergence typically signals the start of spring-like weather in Southern Nevada, but this year, extreme fluctuations in temperature, rain, and wind caused him to brumate longer, especially as he shared his burrow with two other tortoises who entered brumation after him. The tortoise is the mascot for the Clark County Desert Conservation Program and resides at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, held since 2000 and celebrating its 25th year, received over 3,600 guesses from students and 1,500 from Clark County residents in the first-ever countywide contest. The contest winners will receive prizes such as memberships, passes, and technology, with the student winner's class and teacher also receiving awards. Officials emphasize that Max's late emergence reflects the recent inconsistent spring temperatures rather than a shift in climate patterns.