vertebrate paleontology

Vertebrate paleontology is the scientific study of ancient animals with backbones—such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals—that lived millions of years ago. It involves analyzing fossils to understand their anatomy, evolution, and how they interacted with their environment. By examining preserved bones, teeth, and footprints, scientists reconstruct the history of vertebrate life, revealing how species changed over time and how the Earth’s ecosystems developed. This field provides insights into biological diversity, evolutionary processes, and the history of life on our planet.