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WEKU
WEKU
Kai McNamee

This fish evolved to walk on land — then said 'nope' and went back to the water

An illustration of Qikiqtania wakei (center) in the water with its larger cousin, Tiktaalik roseae. (Alex Boersma)

You may have come across a meme showing an ancient fish known as Tiktaalik.

It shows the green, eel-like creature crawling out of the sea about 375 million years ago — about the time that scientists say fish developed the physical characteristics to survive on land — only to be directed to turn around.

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