It Isn’t Spring Until Mojave Max Arrives

Desert tortoises spend 95% of their lives underground, making Mojave Max the most elusive celebrity in Las Vegas. After a long winter brumation (that’s hibernation for reptiles), Mojave Max emerged from his burrow on Saturday, March 26th at 12:21pm—and as everyone in Las Vegas knows, the arrival of Mojave Max marks the unofficial start of spring.

So who is Mojave Max, and how did he become the official mascot of desert conservation? We talk with Audrie Locke, PIO at the Clark County Desert Conservation Program, about the past lives of early Mojave Maxes (including one daring jailbreak), the unmarked “Area 51” for tortoises, and why you should never pick up a desert tortoise (spoiler alert: they’ll pee on you). Happy spring, everyone! Visit mojavemax.com for more information.

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