Zebras are African equines with black-and-white striped coats and share
the genus Equus with horses and asses. Zebras inhabit eastern and
southern Africa and can be found in savannahs, grasslands, woodlands,
shrublands and mountainous areas. They are primarily grazers, but can
subsist on lower-quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by lions,
typically fleeing when threatened but they may bite and kick. Several
theories have been proposed for the function of their stripes, with
evidence suggesting they are a form of protection from biting flies. Of
the three extant species, Grévy's zebra is endangered, the mountain
zebra is vulnerable and the plains zebra (examples pictured) is near-
threatened; the quagga, a type of plains zebra, was driven to extinction
in the 19th century. Zebras communicate with vocalisations, body
postures and facial expressions. Plains and mountain zebras practice
social grooming, which strengthens social bonds. Zebras have featured in
art and stories in Africa and beyond.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1747:
The London Lock Hospital, the first voluntary hospital
specialising in the treatment of venereal diseases, opened.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Lock_Hospital>
1900:
Datu Muhammad Salleh, leader of a series of major disturbances
in North Borneo, was shot dead in Tambunan, but his followers did not
give up for five more years.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Salleh_Rebellion>
1961:
Aboard NASA's Mercury-Redstone 2, Ham the Chimp became the
first hominid launched into outer space.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ham_%28chimpanzee%29>
2013:
A gas leak underneath the Pemex Executive Tower in Mexico City
caused an explosion that killed at least 37 people and injured another
121.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_Ejecutiva_Pemex_explosion>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
Tiggerish:
(Britain) (Excessively) cheerful and exuberant; bouncy.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Tiggerish>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to
exacerbate, the moral consciousness of people.
--Norman Mailer
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Norman_Mailer>