Mojave Max appearance sign of spring
April 9, 2009 - 9:00 pm
Mojave Max emerged from his burrow Tuesday afternoon at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center, marking the unofficial start of spring weather for Southern Nevada.
The desert tortoise's emergence from his winter hibernation marks the start of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours.
Those factors, and an internal clock, contribute to his emergence every year, a spokeswoman for Clark County said.
The conservation center, in the southwest valley near the Mountain's Edge community, is housing Mojave Max while his habitat at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is being renovated.