This film describes the discovery of Tiktaalik, a key fossil that illuminates the evolutionary origins of four-legged animals.

The Origin of Tetrapods provides a firsthand account of the search for Tiktaalik, a creature with a mix of features common to fish and four-legged animals. Tiktaalik, along with a series of species that existed before and after, illuminates key evolutionary steps in the transition of life from water to land.

The “Abbreviated Film Guide” provides a short summary of the film, along with key concepts and connections to curriculum standards.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.