Q: Are turtles and snakes related because they’re both reptiles? A: Yes, they are related—but quite distantly, not closely like siblings. Both turtles and snakes belong to the broader reptile lineage and share a common ancestor from long ago. However, modern evolutionary trees based on DNA data show that snakes are more closely related to lizards, while turtles are actually closer to crocodiles and birds. In simple terms: saying they’re “both reptiles” means they’re part of the same broad family, but it doesn’t mean turtles and snakes are each other’s closest relatives. #nanobro