text: who is a paleontologist? is he a fossil specialist? a paleontologist is one who studies paleontology. paleontology or palaeontology is the study of the developing history of life on earth, of ancient plants and animals based on the fossil record, evidence of their existence preserved in rocks. this includes the study of body fossils, tracks, burrows, cast off parts, fossilized feces ("coprolites"), and chemical residues.