Mojave Max, the desert tortoise mascot from the Clark County Desert Conservation Program, is setting a new record for the latest emergence date in the program’s 25-year history. As of now, in 2025, Max has not yet emerged from his burrow, surpassing his previous record set on April 24, 2023. This delay in emergence is attributed to weather conditions similar to those of 2023, with cooler temperatures and wind keeping Max in brumation longer than usual.
Max’s emergence is a significant event for many in Las Vegas, signaling the start of spring in the Mojave Desert. The annual contest held by the Clark County School District encourages students to guess when Max will reappear, drawing parallels to Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day predictions.
Despite the delay, Max’s health is not in question. He underwent a vet check before brumation and was in good health. Once he emerges, he will have a routine wellness check and meet the winner of this year’s emergence contest. Meanwhile, Carson, another tortoise mascot from Carson City, has already emerged, highlighting the variability in tortoise behavior across Nevada.