Final answer:
Scientists use fossils and radiometric dating to understand animal evolution in different environments, with fossils showing evolutionary changes and radiometric dating providing exact fossil ages. The geographic location of fossils also contributes to understanding species distribution and adaptation over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientists have multiple methods to discover how certain types of animals evolved in different environments. One key tool in this is the use of fossils which provide solid evidence of the gradual evolutionary changes over millions of years. Another crucial method is radiometric dating, which measures the decay rate of radioactive materials within rock layers to determine the age of those rocks and the fossils they contain. This technique helps scientists calculate the rate of speciation of early organisms by determining the geological ages of fossils found in different locations.
Additionally, studying the geographic location of fossils can indicate how continental drift and environmental changes have influenced the evolution and spread of species. Essential evidence supporting the models of the origin of life also comes from integrating findings from disciplines such as chemistry, geology, and mathematics in the study of the planet's oldest rocks, which are approximately 3.5 billion years old.