LAS VEGAS -- It’s not even Thanksgiving, yet Christmas decorations are in the stores. It’s not even winter, yet Clark County is wondering when Mojave Max will emerge for the spring.

Looking far, far ahead seems to be the trend these days.

Monday, county leaders announced the beginning of the annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest, where students can guess when the desert mascot will poke his head out of his burrow, signaling the start of spring.

Mojave Max, a desert tortoise, is southern Nevada’s equivalent of Pennsylvania’s famous Punxsutawney Phil. In the past he has emerged as early as February 14 and as late as April 14.

Max came out from his burrow this year on Tuesday, April 7th at 2:37 p.m.

Students can enter their guess at the Mojave Max Web site. The student who guesses closest to the actual time will win medals, t-shirts, family park passes and a pizza party for their entire class.

Their teacher will also receive a personal laptop computer.