The alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) is a species of newt native to
continental Europe and introduced to Great Britain and New Zealand.
Adults measure 7–12 cm (2.8–4.7 in) and are usually dark grey to
blue on the back and sides, with an orange belly and throat. The alpine
newt occurs at high altitude as well as in the forested lowlands, and
migrates to water for breeding. Males are conspicuously coloured during
breeding season, and court females with a ritualised display. The
aquatic larvae grow up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in around three months, and
most metamorphose into terrestrial juvenile efts, which mature into
adults at around three years. Larvae and adults feed mainly on diverse
invertebrates and themselves fall prey to dragonfly larvae, large
beetles, fish, snakes, birds or mammals. Although still relatively
common, alpine newt populations are decreasing. The main threats are
habitat destruction, pollution and the introduction of fish such as
trout into breeding sites.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_newt>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1899:
Philippine–American War: A 60-man Filipino rearguard was
defeated at the Battle of Tirad Pass, but delayed the American advance
long enough to ensure President Emilio Aguinaldo's escape.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tirad_Pass>
1942:
Manhattan Project scientists led by Enrico Fermi initiated the
first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in the experimental nuclear
reactor Chicago Pile-1.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Pile-1>
1950:
Korean War: UN forces began a retreat from North Korea
following defeat at the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Ch%27ongch%27on_River>
1980:
Four American missionaries were murdered by a military death
squad in El Salvador.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_murders_of_U.S._missionaries_in_El_Salvador>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
PEBCAK:
(computing, humorous, also attributively) Chiefly used by technical
support helpdesk staff: a problem experienced with a user's computer
that is due to user error.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/PEBCAK>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The big discoveries raise questions that make astronomers work
feverishly and argue with an agitation that verges on rudeness.
--Nigel Calder
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nigel_Calder>