The silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus) is a large lemur with silky white fur that lives in northeastern Madagascar. It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world's 25 most critically endangered primates. The silky sifaka lives in groups of two to nine and spends most of its day feeding, resting, playing, grooming, and traveling. Like other eastern sifakas, it eats leaves and seeds, but also fruit, flowers, and even soil. As with other sifaka species, group members will groom, play with, carry, and nurse infants that are not their own. Adults vocalize frequently despite having only seven different calls. Like all lemurs, it relies strongly on scent for communication; males frequently scent-mark. The species is found in the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar, with the remaining population in Marojejy National Park, Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, the Makira Forest Protected Area, the Betaolana Corridor, and some unprotected forest fragments. Locals hunt the silky sifaka throughout its range.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silky_sifaka

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1492:

Members of the first voyage of Christopher Columbus reported the sighting of unknown light on their way to Guanahani. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1492_light_sighting

1531:

Swiss Reformation leader Huldrych Zwingli was killed in battle when Catholic cantons attacked in response to a food blockade being applied by his alliance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huldrych_Zwingli

1767:

Unable to go any further, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon made their final observations for what would become known as the Mason–Dixon line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason%E2%80%93Dixon_line

1942:

World War II: At the Battle of Cape Esperance on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal, American ships intercepted and defeated a Japanese fleet on their way to destroy Henderson Field. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Esperance

1975:

Saturday Night Live, an American weekly sketch comedy–variety show, was broadcast for the first time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

alnage: 1. Measurement (of cloth) by the ell. 2. A duty paid for such measurement. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/alnage

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?   --Eleanor Roosevelt https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt