Paleontology Facts for Kids

16 Paleontology Facts For Kids

1. Paleontology is the scientific study of life that existed more than 12,000 years ago.
2. The most explanation of Paleontology is it’s the study of Earth’s past life and the history of life on our planet.
3. French naturalist Georges Cuvier is widely considered the father of Paleontology with his research in the fields of comparative anatomy and paleontology.
4. It is widely accepted that the field of Paleontology was established in 1800.
5. A person who studies in the field of Paleontology is known as a paleontologist.
6. A paleontologist is well educated in many different fields of science, including biology, earth science, and geology.
7. Most people think of dinosaur fossils when they hear the word Paleontology, but that is not what all paleontologists study.
8. There are a few different subfields underneath the field of Paleontology.
9. Paleobotany is the specific study of extinct plants, their fossilized remains, and learning about the evolution and diversity of plants.
10. Invertebrate Paleontology is the specific study of invertebrate animal fossils that were terrestrial or aquatic.
11. Micropaleontology is the specific study of extinct and fossilized microscopic organisms.
12. Vertebrate Paleontology is the specific study of vertebrate animal fossils and the reconstruction of their fossilized remains.
13. You must go to school between six and ten years to become a paleontologist.
14. A paleontologist needs a bachelor’s degree in geology before they can get a masters or doctorate in paleontology.
15. Paleontology over the last the last 100 years has really helped us understand the evolution of life on our planet.
16. American paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould is considered one of the most important people in the Paleontology field.

Paleontology Pictures

There is a saying that claims a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true then the below images will help you with your research on the field of Paleontology. Below you will find three pictures related to Paleontology. These pictures should give you a bettering understanding of Paleontology and what paleontologists do.

A picture of a paleontologist brushing a dinosaur fossil.

A picture of a fossil dug up by paleontologists.

A picture of a paleontologist at a dinosaur fossil dig site.