Image: Wildlife Conservation Network. Charles Knowles with Pygmies in Congo. Digital image. Mongabay.com. Rhett Butler, n.d. Web.
Pygmies rarely grow over 5 feet tall as they have evolved and adapted to survive in their environment. It is believed that their height is caused by adapting to low ultraviolet levels, meaning that the skin can't produce enough vitamin D in the skin. This limits the calcium intake and in turn does not allow for much bone growth. Other causes from their small stature could be from the lack of food, the continuous moving through the forest, adaptation to the heat and humidity or their rapid reproductive maturation (early mortality and low level of growth genes).
However these adaptations have aided in the survival of the pygmies. These advantages including them being able to move through the forest easily and swiftly and being able to dissipate the heat in their body.
Dissipate: disappear or evaporate
Pygmies rarely grow over 5 feet tall as they have evolved and adapted to survive in their environment. It is believed that their height is caused by adapting to low ultraviolet levels, meaning that the skin can't produce enough vitamin D in the skin. This limits the calcium intake and in turn does not allow for much bone growth. Other causes from their small stature could be from the lack of food, the continuous moving through the forest, adaptation to the heat and humidity or their rapid reproductive maturation (early mortality and low level of growth genes).
However these adaptations have aided in the survival of the pygmies. These advantages including them being able to move through the forest easily and swiftly and being able to dissipate the heat in their body.
Dissipate: disappear or evaporate