Fossil discoveries help us learn a lot about how life on Earth has changed over time. Here are some key ways fossils do this:
Timekeepers of Life: Fossils act like a timeline for life on our planet. The oldest fossils we’ve found are around 3.5 billion years old. They show us that early life forms existed a long time ago.
Fossils in Between: Some fossils, like Archaeopteryx, lived about 150 million years ago. They have features of both reptiles and birds. This helps scientists understand that some animals may share a common ancestor.
Many Extinct Species: The fossil record tells us that about 99% of all species that have ever existed are now gone. These extinctions and the rise of new species show us how natural selection works.
Changes Over Time: By studying fossils, we can see changes in animal structures. For example, the ancestors of whales changed from living on land to living in water. This shows how animals can adapt to new environments.
Lots of Information: Research has identified over 250,000 different species from fossils. This gives us a wealth of information to understand the variety of life and how it has evolved over time.
Fossil discoveries help us learn a lot about how life on Earth has changed over time. Here are some key ways fossils do this:
Timekeepers of Life: Fossils act like a timeline for life on our planet. The oldest fossils we’ve found are around 3.5 billion years old. They show us that early life forms existed a long time ago.
Fossils in Between: Some fossils, like Archaeopteryx, lived about 150 million years ago. They have features of both reptiles and birds. This helps scientists understand that some animals may share a common ancestor.
Many Extinct Species: The fossil record tells us that about 99% of all species that have ever existed are now gone. These extinctions and the rise of new species show us how natural selection works.
Changes Over Time: By studying fossils, we can see changes in animal structures. For example, the ancestors of whales changed from living on land to living in water. This shows how animals can adapt to new environments.
Lots of Information: Research has identified over 250,000 different species from fossils. This gives us a wealth of information to understand the variety of life and how it has evolved over time.