The catch-22 of creationist demands for fossil transitions

[The Barbarian]

How do we know the tiktaalik wasn't a land animal seeking to become a whale?

For one thing, no land vertebrates lived in the Devonian.

 

[AV1611VET]

For one thing, no land vertebrates lived in the Devonian.

Either that, or they did.

From AI Overview: *

Yes, land vertebrates (tetrapods) first appeared during the Devonian period. Specifically, the Devonian saw the transition of some fish species, like Tiktaalik, into early amphibians, laying the groundwork for all land-dwelling vertebrates. These early tetrapods evolved from lobe-finned fish ancestors, developing features like limbs and lungs that allowed them to move onto land.

* Dont'cha just hate AI?

 

[Shemjaza]

Either that, or they did.

From AI Overview: *

Yes, land vertebrates (tetrapods) first appeared during the Devonian period. Specifically, the Devonian saw the transition of some fish species, like Tiktaalik, into early amphibians, laying the groundwork for all land-dwelling vertebrates. These early tetrapods evolved from lobe-finned fish ancestors, developing features like limbs and lungs that allowed them to move onto land.

* Dont'cha just hate AI?

Not significantly before the Tiktaalik to demonstrate a "land animal becoming a whale".

That's the problem with AI as a research tool... when it isn't literally lies, you don't necessarily have context to see if you in fact have the answer to your question.

 

[Ophiolite]

For one thing, no land vertebrates lived in the Devonian.

True. All the rabbits from the Cambrian were extinct by then.