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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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