Final answer:
Scientists determine the climate during Pangaea using climate proxies such as fossils, ice cores, and sediment cores. These data indicate that the climate was likely extreme and dry, with flora and fauna evolved to conserve water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the climate during the time of Pangaea has been made possible through the use of various climate proxies. Geologists study indirect evidence such as fossils, ice cores, tree rings, and sediment cores to gain insights into past climates. For instance, the fossils of a specific foraminifera species coil their shells differently based on the temperature of the seawater, providing a relative indication of the climate conditions at the time. Moreover, the presence of certain palm tree fossils in the geologic record suggests subtropical climates at different times in Earth's history. The adaptations of plants and animals at the time of Pangaea also suggest that temperatures were extreme and the climate dry, necessitating features such as waxy leaves and leathery skin to conserve water.