Untitled Document

The History of the Mojave Max Emergence Contest

In the spring of 2000, the first Mojave Max contest was held. Students of the Southern Nevada were encouraged to estimate the time that the live tortoise named Mojave Max would first exit his burrow after brumation (reptilian form of hibernation). The successful event had thousands of students in the valley researching species, temperature and cycles of the Mojave Desert.

This contest is significant because it draws attention to the seasons of the Mojave Desert and the responses of desert wildlife. Many plants and animals have a dormant period that is brought on by declining desert temperatures. Plants and animals of the Mojave Desert must adapt to changing temperatures and erratic rainfall to survive.

The historical Mojave Max Emergences and contest entries are as follows:

Mojave Max’s Emergence Contest Winners

..2000        Lauren Simons, David Cox Elementary School
.............. ....Lauren guessed: 3/15/00 at 12:32 p.m.

..2001      Kristin Siegrist, Wilhelm Elementary School
...................Kristin guessed: 3/19/01 at 8:30 a.m.

..2002      Taylor Child , Johnson Middle School
...................Taylor guessed: 3/22/02 at 11:46 a.m.

..2003        Jose Lopez, Whitney Elementary School
...................Jose guessed: 3/7/03 at 10:25 a.m.

..2004      Richard Raso, Johnson Middle School
...................Richard guessed: 2/19/04 at 11:14 a.m.

..2005      Josephina Romero, Grant Bowler Elementary School
.............. ....Josephina guessed: 2/14/05 at 11:55 a.m.

..2006         Ryan Cicchitti, Roger Gehring Elementary School
................... Ryan guessed: 4/3/06 at 11:32 a.m.

..2007 Lilly Rosser , Spring Valley Christain Academy
................... Lilly guessed: 3/26/07 at 11:33 a.m.

Mojave Max’s Emergences by year

.......................2000                3/15/00            12:32 p.m.
.......................2001              3/19/01            8:30 a.m.
.......................2002              3/22/02            11:46 a.m.
.......................2003               .3/07/03            10:25 a.m.
.......................2004              2/19/04            11:14 a.m.
.......................2005              2/14/05            11:55 a.m.
.......................2006                4/03/06            11:32 a.m.
.......................2007                3/26/07            11:34 a.m.

Mojave Max Emergence Contest Entries by year

......................................2000                2,000
......................................2001                1,000
............................... ......2002                2,000
......................................2003                4,000
......................................2004                6,000
......................................2005                5,200