‘Mojave Max Watch’ begins Saturday

While other states think of Punxsutawney Phil as the predictor of spring, Southern Nevadans look to tortoise Mojave Max.

Max officially replaces the Pennsylvania groundhog by announcing the beginning of Spring each year by emerging from his brumation. He sleeps about five or six months, then emerges when spring has begun. Starting Saturday, residents will embark on the "Mojave Max Watch."

Although still in brumation, the public is invited to visit Max at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor's Center and watch for and predict his appearance between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

The annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, open to all students, gives children a chance to guess when Max will emerge. The winning student will receive their own computer and a computer for their classroom, T-shirts, a traveling trophy for their school, a pizza party and field trip to Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Students can enter the Mojave Max Emergence Contest at www.mojavemax.com