Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Borneo and
Sumatra. Three species in the genus Pongo are recognised. The most
arboreal of the great apes, orangutans spend most of their time in
trees. They have proportionally long arms and short legs and their hair
is reddish-brown. Adult males may develop distinctive cheek pads or
flanges and make long calls that attract females and intimidate rivals.
Orangutans are generally solitary, with most social bonds occurring
between mothers and their dependent offspring. The apes eat mainly
fruit, but also vegetation, bark, honey, insects and bird eggs. Among
the most intelligent primates, orangutans use a variety of sophisticated
tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches
and foliage. The illegal pet trade, poaching, and habitat destruction
for palm oil cultivation have caused severe declines in the populations
and ranges of all three species.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangutan>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1759:
Seven Years' War: At the Battle of Lagos, British ships, having
damaged several French vessels the previous day, pursued the remainder
of the fleet to Lagos, Portugal, and continued the battle there in
violation of Portuguese neutrality.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lagos>
1934:
A referendum supported the recent merging of the posts of
Chancellor and President of Germany, consolidating Adolf Hitler's
assumption of supreme power.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1934_German_referendum>
1981:
Two U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan Su-22 Fitters
during military exercises over the Gulf of Sidra.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Sidra_incident_%281981%29>
2005:
Thunderstorms in southern Ontario, Canada, spawned at least
three tornadoes that caused over C$500 million in damage.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ontario_tornado_outbreak_of_2005>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
humanitarian:
Concerned with people's welfare, and the alleviation of suffering;
compassionate, humane.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/humanitarian>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Great wits are sure to madness near allied, And thin partitions
do their bounds divide.
--John Dryden
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Dryden>
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