Mojave Max, a famous tortoise weather prognosticator from Nevada, has finally emergency, breaking the previous record for his latest appearance — and signifying that spring is on its way.
Max officially came out of his burrow on Sunday, May 10, just after 2 p.m. local time, breaking his previous late record set on May 8, 2025. The earliest he has ever re-surfaced was February 14, 2005.
His reappearance from his burrow, which he enters at the start of each winter, typically marks the beginning of spring-like weather in Southern Nevada.
“Mojave Max’s brumation and emergence is based on an internal body thermometer that dates back millions of years. The emergence is a sign of the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures in the area. Makes sense given we are headed for triple-digit temperatures,” Clark County, Nevada wrote in a Facebook post.
In addition to signifying warmer temperatures ahead, Mojave Max’s emergence marks longer daytime hours.
Southern Nevada has seen extreme temperature fluctuations this year, along with rain and wind, which contributed to Max’s late emergence, KSNV reported.
Max also shared a burrow with three other tortoises that entered brumanation after he did, which contributed to his late arrival this spring, according to the report.
Local elementary school students can also participate in the annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, and predict when the weather prognosticator will finally come out and enjoy the warmer weather. Each year, students study the weather, temperatures and other desert conditions that play a role in when the tortoise appears.
Students previously made their predictions for when Max would emerge this year, and school officials say they will announce a contest winner soon.
The winner receives extensive prizes that include a year-long membership to the Springs Preserve, where Mojave Max lives, a year-long family national parks pass and a laptop.
Meanwhile, the correct student’s class also wins big — receiving medals, T-shirts, a trophy for their school, a pizza party and a chance to meet Mojave Max, according to Fox 5 News.
The winning student’s teacher will also be rewarded with a new laptop.
Max isn’t the only animal credited with predicting the seasons. In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil, who is central to the Groundhog Day celebrations on February 2 each year, also offers guidance as to when spring will arrive.
According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow when he emerges from his burrow, winter will continue for another six weeks. A cloudy day, however, predicts an early spring.
