Mojave Max, the desert tortoise who serves as a mascot for the Clark County Desert Conservation Program, has not yet emerged from brumation, officials say, but don't worry, he's OK.
The tortoise also serves as an unofficial indicator of spring, emerging from his deep burrow when the temperatures are consistently high for many days in a row. Overnight temperatures have remained chilly, keeping the burrow and Max nice and cold.
The last time he was in this burrow, he emerged on April 24, 2023. He currently has two roommates, who popped up briefly a couple of weeks ago before going back into the burrow. Since there's only one way in or out, Max will have to wait for the other two tortoises to leave first.
Max is housed at the Springs Preserve, where a senior zoologist confirmed on Monday that all three tortoises remain in the burrow. The team has a motion-activated camera pointing right at the entrance.
If you haven't yet, you can still enter the Mojave Max emergence contest at MojaveMax.com. The contest is open to all (not just kids) for the first time ever.
