In the water snapping Turtles are generally calm. Out from the safety of watery homes though, tough customers emerge. As apex predators they serve an important role in local environments. Like vultures of water systems, they keep things tidy by consuming diseased and decaying animals. Celebrate the goodness of snapping turtles with Sherdine Tsatte's stunning reptile carved from military opal. Opal is mined worldwide but opal specimens that show colors like green, blue, black or have a camouflage-like appearance are sometimes called military opals. There are gorgeous veins of iridescence in this water creature including a large one along the top of the turtle that goes all the way through and can be seen on the bottom of the leg. Ever-watchful eyes are from pen shell inlays. About 4 3/8" long, roughly 2 1/4" wide and 1 3/8" tall.