Mojave Maxine

Forecaster Type: Desert Tortoise
Location: Palm Desert, California, United States
Description: In a sort of variation on the Groundhog Day tradition, The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California, uses a desert tortoise to indicate when spring has arrived. Since the mid 2000s a contest has been held for students in Southern California to guess the date and time when Mojave Maxine will emerge from her burrow. The children submit their entries and winners receive prizes for themselves, their teacher, and their entire class. Beginning in January a camera is set up on Maxine's exhibit so that students and teachers can check to see if she has come out. Between 1500 and 1800 entries are usually received each year. Read more about Mojave Maxine.
Forecasting since: Since the mid 2000s
Website: https://www.livingdesert.org/learn/educator-programs-and-resources/desert-tortoise-education-resources/mojave-maxine-emergence-contest/