For Immediate Release                                                          Monday, Feb. 14, 2005 Mojave Max has Emerged! Local Desert Tortoise Responds to Spring-like Weather Mojave Max, the famous desert tortoise, officially emerged from his burrow at 11:55 a.m. today. Mojave Max is a live desert tortoise residing 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 known to contribute to his emergence every year.  Mojave Max’s habitat area received 4.18 inches of rain so far this year, which was an additional factor. “The warm January and plentiful rainfall have definitely contributed to Mojave Max’s early emergence this year,” said Christina Gibson, spokeswoman for the Clark County Desert Conservation Program.  “His emergence on February 19 last year was very early, but his emergence this year is the earliest emergence we’ve seen.”         Mojave Max’s emergence marks the beginning of spring weather in Southern Nevada.  While the weather forecasts for the next week contain predictions of rain, according to Mojave Max, residents of the Las Vegas area will soon be enjoying sunshine and warm weather.                    As part of the sixth 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 2005.  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 National Park Pass and a Playstation 2.  The winner’s entire class will receive a field trip to Mojave Max's habitat, Mojave Max Olympic style medals, t-shirts, and Adventuredome passes. "Mojave Max helps promote students’ understanding of the desert we live in,” said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, “and he promotes environmental awareness throughout the Las Vegas Valley."