Mojave Max emerges from burrow to mark early spring

Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 | 10:15 a.m.

Mojave Max emerged from his burrow at the Red Rock National Conservation Area Visitor Center at 11:14 a.m. Thursday.

His emergence traditionally marks the unofficial start of spring in Southern Nevada.

In the past four years Mojave Max emerged from his burrow in March.

First grade students from Manuel Cortez Elementary School were near Mojave Max's habitat and participating in a plant identification lesson when a student shouted, "There's a tortoise!"

"The kids told me that there was a tortoise out there," said Laverne Dickey, a park ranger. "I wasn't sure what I was seeing, but there was a tortoise there, and it was Mojave Max."

Visitors shouted and cheered as an announcement came over the loudspeaker that Mojave Max made his appearance.

For more information about Mojave Max, visit the website www.mojavemax.com.

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