Sand Dollars are Echinoderms which are a class of marine animals. They have been around for millions of years. Sand Dollars are closely related to the star fish and the sea urchin. The name "Sand Dollar" comes from the fact that they have a round and flat shape which is similar to a large coin. Sand Dollars have five sets of pores that are arranged in a petal pattern. The pores are used to move sea water into its internal water-vascular system, which allows for movement by the sea creature. They feed by filtering fine tiny particles of organic matter found in our oceans and bays.
Sand Dollars live just below the surface of sandy or muddy areas on the ocean or bay floor. They have no arms or legs. The spines on the flattened underside of the animal allow it to burrow or to slowly move through the sand. Fine, hair-like cilia cover the tiny spines. Tube feet or podia that line the food grooves, move food to the mouth opening which is in the center of the star shaped grooves on the underside of the animal. This area is called the oral surface. The anus is located on the bottom, near the posterior edge. This beautiful sea creature is a slow moving grazer and it's food consists of plankton and organic particles that end up in the sandy bottom.
Plankton are microscopic sea creatures and are drifting organisms that inhabits the water columns of oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water as well. They are considered to be some of the most important organisms on Earth. Plankton provide the food supply to most aquatic life.
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View A Photo Of A Dead Sand Dollar (WHITE)
View A Photo Of A Live Sand Dollar (BROWN)
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There can be populations of Sand Dollars totaling over 500 to 1,000 inhabiting a small area on the sandy ocean floor. We have observed sand dollars of all shapes and sizes together on the soft and sandy ocean floor. Being all together in one area helps in reproduction as well. We have also observed several sand dollars living together peacefully with small soft shelled and shelled crabs and sea snails and schools of fish. Sand Dollars may be found down to one mile in depth in the oceans sandy bottom floor. Sand Dollars are eaten by sea stars, snails and skates.
By the time the sand dollar washes up on the beach, it is usually missing its velvety covering of tiny minute spines. Sand Dollars are often killed during storms. The exposure to the sun causes the bleached white appearance or the common look of a dead sand dollar. The white circular shell seen by most people is the exoskeleton of the animal. A live sand dollar will be found with a brownish or purplish fuzzy covering of dense, tiny spines. The live sand dollar specimens that we have found have had brownish/dark green fuzzy tiny spines or velvety covering. These are living marine creatures. When we have gently flipped the live sand dollar over to view the underside we have observed the fine cilia hairs or tiny spines moving. We then gently placed the live delicate sand dollar(s) back into the ocean, beyond where the waves break and into 1-5 feet of water back onto the sandy ocean bottom where they belong. You then see them slowly burrow back into the sandy bottom where they are then covered up and hidden.
Please, never take a live sand dollar specimen. They are one of the oceans much needed natural filters. If you find a live sand dollar, please gently place it back into the ocean where nobody can step on the delicate sea creature. Please only take the bleached out dead white sand dollars that wash up onto the beaches. If you take the time, you will find quite a few of the white sand dollars and non-inhabited sea shells during your day of shelling. Remember, "If it's white, it's all right, and if it's brown, put it down".
Article Written By Dawn La Follette