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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Tiggerish: (Britain) (Excessively) cheerful and exuberant; bouncy. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Tiggerish

___________________________ 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