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Giant anteater

The giant anteater is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America. It is one of four living species of anteater and is classified with the sloths in the order Pilosa. This species is the most terrestrial of the living anteaters, unlike its arboreal or semi-arboreal cousins, and is the largest of its family, stretching 182–217 cm (5.97–7.12 ft) and weighing 33–41 kg (73–90 lb) for males and 27–39 kg (60–86 lb) for females. It is recognizable by its elongated snout, bushy tail, long foreclaws and distinctively colored pelage. The anteater can be found in multiple habitats including grassland and rainforest and feeds primarily on ants and termites, using its foreclaws to dig them up and its long, sticky tongue to collect them. The giant anteater is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has been extirpated from some parts of its former range. Threats to its survival include habitat destruction and hunting, though some anteaters inhabit protected areas. Because of its distinctive appearance, the anteater has been featured in pre-Columbian myths and folktales as well as modern popular culture. ( Full article...)

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From Wikipedia's newest content:

Portrait of Maria Malibran circa 1831

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  • On this day...

    March 6: Independence Day in Ghana ( 1957)

    The Alamo

  • 961 – The Muslim Emirate of Crete was conquered by the Byzantine Empire.
  • 1447 – Tomaso Parentucelli became Pope Nicholas V.
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  • 1913First Balkan War: The Greek army captured Bizani Fortress, near Ioannina, from the Ottomans.
  • 1930 – Organized by the Communist International, hundreds of thousands of people in major cities around the world marched to protest mass unemployment associated with the Great Depression.
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    Turku Castle

    Turku Castle is a monument located in Turku, Finland. Initially intended as a military fortress, construction on the castle began in the 13th century. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times and now houses a museum, church, restaurants, and banquet hall.

    Photograph: Otto Jula

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