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This One Will Get Your Goat<\/h1>\n
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By Jenny McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a bird! It\u2019s a plane! It\u2019s\u2026a goat?<\/p>\n
In southwestern Morocco<\/strong>, people know a surprising truth about goats: They can climb. In fact, they can climb better than humans, given their unique physiology and instincts. They can perch on trees, rocks, and steep vertical surfaces as easily as we can perch on our front stoops. Pretty remarkable, considering that the largest goats can weigh up to 300 pounds!<\/p>\n Appetite for Argan Fruit<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Because goats are not only nimble but also intelligent and inquisitive, their search for food can lead them to unexpected places. Goats living in the mountains have been seen foraging at elevations up to 8,500 feet. They do not like eating food that has dropped on the ground, so what better way to locate unspoiled treats than by peering upwards?<\/p>\n In the Sous region of Morocco, bordering the Sahara desert, goats scale trees in order to locate their beloved argan fruit. These animals gain 47 to 84 percent of their calories from the fruit and leaves of the argan trees. They chew an average of 50,000 times per day to begin the process of digesting this material through four stomachs.<\/p>\n End Result<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n One benefit that humans gain from such a feast is the end result: the undigested argan nuts that remain in the droppings of the goats. Each nut contains one to three almond-shaped seeds, which are roasted, ground, and pressed. They produce a valuable cosmetic and culinary liquid sold in international markets at prices reaching up to US$80 per liter. It may take 88 pounds of dried argan fruit to get one liter of oil, so these ruminants must chew quickly!<\/p>\n Be careful if you visit this area, because some people believe goat sightings are a hoax. They have become so popular that farmers might be forcing them into the trees to attract tourists, who pay for the opportunity to take a picture.<\/p>\n At this current point in evolutionary history, goats have come to possess several helpful physical characteristics that facilitate their ability to scale great heights. First, attached to flexible ankle bones, their small, delicate feet each comprise two split toes that can wedge into small cracks for traction. In addition, they have rubbery pads on the bottoms of their hooves that mimic the most expensive climbing shoes. Finally, two digit-like structures called dewclaws sit higher on their legs and halt any unintended slippages.<\/p>\n Courageous Climbers<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Another death-defying goat climbing spot is in northern Italy, where a dam offers Mount Everest-like challenges. The bare stone walls of the Cingino\u00a0hydroelectric dam attract wild mother goats and their kids, who lick, nibble, and chomp their way across its 160-foot walls. At an incline of 80 degrees, the surface is free of predators but certainly presents other dangers.<\/p>\n A final testimony to the clambering reputation of goats comes from a farmer in Illinois named David Johnson. He built a 31-foot castle tower for his herd. The structure of 5,000 handmade bricks is circumscribed by a 276-step spiral staircase and punctuated by three openings on each side.<\/p>\n The goats on this farm? They have it in the ba-a-a-ag<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/GMS-Morocco-600×400-1.png” alt=”Brown goat resting in the branches of a leafy tree overlooking bright blue water in a sunny outdoor setting” title_text=”GMS Morocco 600×400″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Copy-of-GMS-Morocco1.png” alt=”Goats climbing argan trees in Morocco” title_text=”Copy of GMS Morocco(1)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshows” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a teacher who\u2019s interested in telling this story to your students? Here are slideshows\u00a0you can use to get started.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Research\u00a0the risks of the argan oil boom. Identify the major issues at stake and discuss what you think about them.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/goat-feet_400x400.jpeg\")
Foot Anatomy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/goats-800x400-1.jpeg\")
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