The red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) is a species of elapid snake native to Australia. Described by George Shaw in 1794, it is one of eastern Australia's most commonly encountered snakes. Averaging around 1.25 metres (4 ft) in length when fully grown, it has glossy black upperparts, bright red or orange flanks and a pink or dull red belly. It generally avoids people, but can attack if provoked. Although its venom is capable of causing significant illness, containing neurotoxins, myotoxins, coagulants and haemolysins, it is less venomous than that of other Australian elapid snakes, and no humans have been confirmed to have died from its bite. The snake forages in bodies of shallow water, commonly with tangles of water plants and logs, where it hunts frogs, its main prey item, as well as fish, reptiles and small mammals. Its numbers are thought to be declining due to habitat fragmentation and falling frog populations.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_black_snake
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1790:
Russo-Swedish War: During the Battle of Svensksund in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captured a third of the Russian fleet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Svensksund
1958:
An earthquake struck Lituya Bay, Alaska; the subsequent megatsunami, the largest in modern times, reached an elevation of 1,720 ft (524 m). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_Lituya_Bay_earthquake_and_megatsunami
1981:
Nintendo released the arcade game Donkey Kong (cabinet pictured), which featured the debut of Mario, one of the most famous characters in video-game history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario
1995:
Sri Lankan Civil War: After advising civilians to take shelter in places of worship, the Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a church in Navaly, killing at least 147 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navaly_church_bombing
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
hyperparasite: 1. (biology) Any parasite whose host is a parasite. 2. (entomology, specifically) An insect that parasitizes another parasitic insect. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hyperparasite
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
I cherish the mercy and the grace of women’s work. But I know there is new work that we must undertake as well: that new work will make defeat detestable to us. That new women’s work will mean we will not die trying to stand up: we will live that way: standing up. I came too late to help my mother to her feet. By way of everlasting thanks to all of the women who have helped me to stay alive I am working never to be late again. --June Jordan https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/June_Jordan