Ch12 - Gorilla
Gorilla is the largest among primates – mammals with highly developed brain and five fingers with opposable thumb. Interestingly, gorillas and humans are incredibly similar from the genetic point of view. The DNA of these two species is in 95% to 99% identical. Similarities are found not only in the anatomy; we also share with gorillas other characteristics, like specific blood features, or developing strong social bonds in a group.
The size of a gorilla depends mainly on its sex. Males are significantly bigger, reaching up to 180 kg and almost 2 m. Females are nearly two times lighter; they are shorter as well and usually reach about 1,5 m.
Gorillas' fur is dark-brown or black in color, but it changes with age. Young gorillas, from the fifth month until the fifth year of their lives, have a distinctive patch of light hair on their bottom. It is a sign for older gorillas to be understanding of the young one, who does not necessarily obey the rules of hierarchy. When male gorillas reach 12 or 13 year of age, the fur on their back turns silver. They are called "silverbacks" and have high position in the hierarchy.
We distinguish two gorilla species: western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei).
Both of the species are considered endangered. What is more, the IUCN, the oldest organization working for environment conservation, listed certain gorilla populations as critically endangered. Despite great efforts, only 20% of gorillas live in safe places, where they are protected. The remaining habitats are vulnerable to human activity, which is the main cause behind the drop in the gorilla population.
The biggest human threat to gorillas is poaching for the bushmeat trade. In addition, a large group of animals get wounded by traps. Untreated, those injuries can lead to limbs loss and even death of the animal. Despite a special veterinary program created to help wounded mountain gorillas, it is only a drop in the ocean when compared with the harm inflicted by poachers.
Shrinking of gorillas' natural habitat also worsens their situation. It is connected with deforestation, mining, and charcoal production. The situation in Republic of the Congo illustrates this perfectly: the mining industry took over the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park after discovering large amounts of coltan there. The miners cared nothing for the local gorilla population, which resulted in a drastic loss of those animals.
Coltan is used in manufacturing cell phones and laptops. Thinking before replacing your cell phone with a new model may actually improve the situation of gorillas.
Other important cause of problems the gorilla populations face are illnesses and epidemics. The most dangerous migrate from humans. Even the slightest contact with local residents, tourists or workers can be hazardous for gorillas. They are especially vulnerable to: scabies, respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and measles.
In some African countries, e.g. Rwanda or Uganda, tourists can buy a special permit for 500$ to observe a gorilla family in their natural habitat. The income from eco-tourism is an important contribution to the budget. To make it safe, it has to be well planned: it requires broad knowledge, good management, responsible authorities and reasonable regulations.
The first scientific description of a gorilla was made by American physician and missionary Thomas S. Savage in 1847 during his expedition in Liberia. He named these animals Troglodytes gorilla. The name derives from the Greek Gorillai, which meant "tribe of hairy women".
Since their discovery, gorillas have had several celebrities among them. Koko managed to learn 1000 signs of the sign language, which enabled her to communicate with humans. She also understands spoken English.
In 1933, the world saw King Kong. Originally, it was supposed to be a prehistoric giant monkey. Nonetheless, people started to associate gorillas with being violent and dangerous.
Build
To build this model, you will need LEGO Education WeDo 2.0
Explore
The construction is made up of two elements. The gorilla model, which walks on four limbs, and a banana branch.
Moving the branch encourages the gorilla to look for food.
In order to make this possible, three electronic elements were used:
1. The motor installed on the gorilla's back propels the transmission, which moves the forelimbs.
2. The tilt sensor informs if the branch was moved.
3. The hub powers and controls both elements connected to it, in accordance with the program created.
1. You can control the gorilla's behavior with the branch. The hub is in its lower part.
2. Bananas at the end of the branch should encourage gorilla to move.
3. Underneath the bananas there is a tilt sensor, which relays the information about branch movement to the hub.
1. The gorilla head can freely swing to the right and left because it is attached to a smooth pin. You can observe it when the gorilla walks.
2. The gorilla has a big jaw and visible canines, just like a real animal.
1. The motor relays the drive to a small cog connected with a larger one, set perpendicularly. This position allows to power both the left and the right sides. The decelerating transmission makes the gorilla move slower, but with more power.
2. The gorilla head is attached to this pin.
3. The hindlegs are fixed to two black pins at the end of the body.
The gorilla limbs are made up of forelimbs and hindlegs.
1. The upper part of the limb is connected with the crank gear, which moves it up and down.
2. The limb ends with a knuckle, on which the gorilla stands.
3. The massive hindleg is connected to the body and to the forelimb.
1. This animation shows how all of gorilla's limbs move. The crank gear moves the forelimbs up and down. Two crank gear mechanisms are reversed by 180° in regard to one another, which makes the right and left limbs move in turns.
2. The dashed lines show axles, to which the limbs are attached.
Program
The gorilla program will begin with the Start Block. When you click on it, the robot will execute the commands pinned to it.
