Mojave Maxine emerges at The Living Desert
Officials at The Living Desert said it’s official…spring is here! That’s according to the zoo’s version of Punxsutawney Phil, Mojave Maxine. The desert tortoise emerged from brumation (reptilian hibernation) on Monday at 11:56 a.m., signaling the beginning of warmer weather, according to a release.
Officials said more than 1,250 students from Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern counties took part in the contest to guess the date and time Maxine would emerge.
The contest began on January 27.
The first entry received from each county that is closest to the exact day and time wins a $50 gift certificate, a Federal Lands Pass, a visit from a desert tortoise, Mojave Maxine t-shirts for their entire class and a $100 gift certificate for their teacher.
“It’s exciting to have so many young kids be enthusiastic about desert wildlife and participate in the contest,” said Peter Siminski, Director of Conservation. “It’s always a fun celebration when Maxine emerges, knowing that Spring has arrived in our desert paradise.”
Zoo officials said Mojave Maxine is 39-years-old. Each year, she retires for the winter to her underground burrow. She stays there in a state of “brumation” for several months. Mojave Maxine emerges in early spring as the warm days begin to arrive in the desert, promising fresh flowers, a favorite meal for the desert tortoise.
Jan. 27th report
It’s the desert’s turn to do its best Punxsutawney Phil impression — tortoise-style.
Officials at The Living Desert announced Wednesday that it’s once again time to guess when warmer weather will start to arrive in the Coachella Valley. And the honorary barometer is once again, Mojave Maxine.
Mojave Maxine, a desert tortoise at The Living Desert, will awaken from her long winter slumber at some point in the coming weeks to emerge from her subterranean burrow. Officials said the exact day that will happen though, is anyone’s guess.
Students in grades K-12 throughout Southern California will have the opportunity to predict when the 38-year-old desert tortoise will make her first appearance in 2016, indicating longer, warmer days on the way, according to the release.
Officials said the first entry received from each county that is closest to the exact day and time wins a $50 gift certificate, a Federal Lands Pass, a visit from a desert tortoise, Mojave Maxine t-shirts for their entire class and a $100 gift certificate for their teacher.
Students from Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties are invited to participate in the contest.
“The Mojave desert tortoise’s population is threatened,” said Peter Siminski, Director of
Conservation. “So this is not only a fun opportunity for the kids to participate, but also teaches them about the importance of conservation and the habits of our own desert animals.”
Contest organizers said last year almost 1,000 students submitted predictions prior to Maxine’s arrival on February 9 at 12:44pm. A live video feed will be available online to watch for when Mojave Maxine appears.
