The giant anteater is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and
South America. It is one of four living species of anteater and is
classified with the sloths in the order Pilosa. This species is the most
terrestrial of the living anteaters, unlike its arboreal or semi-
arboreal cousins, and is the largest of its family, stretching
182–217 cm (5.97–7.12 ft) and weighing 33–41 kg (73–90 lb)
for males and 27–39 kg (60–86 lb) for females. It is recognizable
by its elongated snout, bushy tail, long foreclaws and distinctively
colored pelage. The anteater can be found in multiple habitats including
grassland and rainforest and feeds primarily on ants and termites, using
its foreclaws to dig them up and its long, sticky tongue to collect
them. The giant anteater is listed as Vulnerable by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has been extirpated from
some parts of its former range. Threats to its survival include habitat
destruction and hunting, though some anteaters inhabit protected areas.
Because of its distinctive appearance, the anteater has been featured in
pre-Columbian myths and folktales as well as modern popular culture.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_anteater>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
961:
The Muslim Emirate of Crete was conquered by the Byzantine
Empire.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Crete>
1447:
Tomaso Parentucelli became Pope Nicholas V.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Nicholas_V>
1836:
Texas Revolution: Mexican forces captured the Alamo in San
Antonio from the Texans after a 13-day siege.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo>
1913:
First Balkan War: The Greek army captured Bizani Fortress, near
Ioannina, from the Ottomans.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bizani>
1930:
Organized by the Communist International, hundreds of thousands
of people in major cities around the world marched to protest mass
unemployment associated with the Great Depression.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Unemployment_Day>
1975:
The Zapruder film of the assassination of John F. Kennedy was
broadcast on television for the first time.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapruder_film>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
begorra:
(Ireland) A mild minced oath; a euphemism for "by God".
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/begorra>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A famous writer who wants to continue writing has to be constantly
defending himself against fame. I don't really like to say this because
it never sounds sincere, but I would really have liked for my books to
have been published after my death, so I wouldn't have to go through all
this business of fame and being a great writer. In my case, the only
advantage to fame is that I have been able to give it a political use.
Otherwise, it is quite uncomfortable. The problem is that you're famous
for twenty-four hours a day, and you can't say, "Okay, I won't be famous
until tomorrow," or press a button and say, "I won't be famous here or
now."
--Gabriel García Márquez
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Gabriel_Garc%C3%ADa_M%C3%A1rquez>