Mojave Max has broken his brumation record once more but arrived in time for Mother’s Day.
The 22-year-old live desert tortoise who calls Springs Preserve his home emerged from his burrow at 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, according to a news release. His emergence from brumation, the reptilian form of hibernation, marks the start of spring weather in Southern Nevada.
The temperature swings so far this spring, along with the company of three other tortoises, led Mojave Max to stay in his burrow and set a new emergence record, Springs Preserve said.
Elementary schools across Nevada submitted guesses when Mojave Max would emerge from his burrow. The winning class who guessed the closest to Max’s emergence date and time will win a field trip and pizza party at the Springs Preserve.
While the unofficial mark of spring, Mojave Max’s emergence might better mark summer this year. In March we saw nine temperature records broken within the first 11 days of the month, the hottest March on record for Nevada. The March heatwave was felt in Nevada, lead Mojave Mike’s three roommates to emerge March 23.
