Atlanta has a sizable dwarf population (no pun intended). Dwarf is a precise definition used to describe creatures or plants with particular genetic characteristics and disorders. A dwarf is not just a small variety of a creature, although in some instances the word is used nonchalantly this way. A true dwarf creature, like a dwarf person, has genetic disorders of cartilage and/or bone development. Dwarfs are not bred to produce miniatures.
At Zoo Atlanta a tourist may observe a West African dwarf (Osteolaemus tetraspis) crocodile. It is the smallest species of crocodile in the world although it attains a medium length of five feet.
Four years ago, the International Astronomical Union adopted the term dwarf planet to describe celestial bodies orbiting the Sun that are not moons, asteroids or planets. Ceres has since been promoted from an asteroid to a dwarf planet whereas Pluto has been demoted from a planet to a dwarf planet.
Dwarf entertainers are a common enough sight on television. Zelda Rubinstein, who played a medium on the Poltergeist movies, recently passed away. Another famous dwarf actor was Herve Villechaize who played Tattoo on Fantasy Island. There were many dwarf victims of the Holocaust. THE END
Comments
Good article. You need to write about giants next.
Yeah. Keep em coming!
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