What is the primary focus of a paleontologist's studies?

The primary focus of a paleontologist's studies is fossils. Paleontology is the scientific discipline that examines the history of life on Earth through the analysis of fossilized remains and traces of organisms that lived in the past. By studying fossils, paleontologists can gain insights into various aspects of ancient life, such as species evolution, ecological interactions, and the environments in which these organisms lived. This includes understanding how living organisms have changed over time and how they relate to current forms of life.

In contrast, weather patterns are studied in meteorology, living organisms fall under the domain of biology, and geological formations are typically analyzed in geology. Paleontology uniquely combines elements of biology and geology, but its core focus remains firmly on fossils and what they reveal about the history of life on our planet.