“They look so pretty, but sand dollars aren’t really seashells. Take care that it’s legal before removing them from the beach. Cyndi Monaghan/Getty Images
Most of us think of sand dollars as round, flat seashells, but that’s completely inaccurate. In fact, they aren’t shells at all! During their average lifespan of about 10 years, a sand dollar is actually a living organism, and is a cousin of sorts to other echinoderms like sea cucumbers, sea stars (also known as starfish) and sea urchins. "Just like their more recognizable sea star cousins, sand dollars typically have five-part radial symmetry which means that their body could be split into five identical ‘slices,’" explains Jessica Brasher, husbandry manager at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California in an email.
But that symmetry isn’t what lands it in the echinoderm (Greek for "spiny skin") group. Indeed, live sand dollars (unlike their dead, relatively smooth counterparts) feature an endoskeleton that’s covered by a layer of spiny skin, according to Leah Biery, director of communications at Sanibel Sea School in Sanibel, Florida. "The skeleton, or test, is composed of bony plates of calcium carbonate called ossicles, held together by connective tissue," she emails. "They have no brain, just a simple nerve ring."
While we’re used to living things sporting legs, wings or some other obvious transportation method, sand dollars have a far more subtle way of getting around — a water vascular system. This system not only helps them move, but is also responsible for pumping filtered seawater so that they can eat, Biery says, noting that the preferred sand dollar diet is algae scraped from hard surfaces by their teeth. They also dine on plankton and other food floating freely in the water.
Sand dollars are surprisingly social, preferring to hang out on the ocean floor with lots of other sand dollars. This is especially vital during reproduction season, since being in a large group yields better odds of success. "Sand dollars reproduce by spawning, which means that males and females release eggs and sperm into the water column respectively," Brasher explains. "If fertilized, the sand dollar eggs will hatch into microscopic, free-floating larvae that hardly resemble their parents." The larvae then undergo a series of developmental changes until it grows its test and settles on the ocean floor.
Is That Sand Dollar Alive or Dead?
So, with all the complexity of sand dollar makeup and life in mind, is it all right to scoop one up from the beach and take it home as a treasured souvenir? Well, that depends. "As live animals, sand dollars filter detritus and debris from the sandy sea floor while also providing a tasty food source to many benthic [bottom of the ocean] predators including sea stars, crabs, fish and the occasional octopus," Brasher says. "Even after their death, the shells of sand dollars still provide a source of calcium carbonate for our oceans. As it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not a sand dollar is alive, it’s always best to leave them where they were found."
But if one is found and simply must be kept, be 100 percent sure that it is no longer a living being. In most states taking a live sand dollar is illegal, but laws vary about collecting a dead one, so check for signs at the beach or ask an employee. John Rader, marine science educator at Sanibel Sea School offers the following tips for determining if a sand dollar is alive, or not:
- Hold the sand dollar and watch the tiny spines. If they move, it is alive. The spines will fall off quickly after the animal dies.
- Check the color. Sand dollars are grey, brown or purplish when they are alive. After death, the color fades and the skeleton becomes very white.
- When they are alive, sand dollars secrete echinochrome, a harmless substance that will turn your skin yellow. Hold a sand dollar in your hand for a minute. If it leaves a yellow spot behind, it is alive.
If by chance you do stumble upon a living sand dollar, take action quickly. "Sand dollars will not survive out of the water for very long," Rader says. "If you find a live individual on the beach, you can carefully return it the ocean."
Now That’s Cool
Wondering how sand dollars got their name? For once it’s fairly self-explanatory. "The name Sand Dollar came as a result of their uniquely round yet wafer-like body shape resembling a large coin," says Jessica Brasher of the Ocean Institute. "In reality, a sand dollar should truly be thought of as a flattened sea urchin!"
Originally Published: Jun 6, 2019
Sand Dollar FAQ
How can you tell if a sand dollar is alive?
There are a few ways to tell if a sand dollar is alive or dead. If the tiny spines on it are moving, it’s alive. When alive, they’re usually grey, brown or purplish in color, so if it’s white, the sand dollar is dead. Sand dollars also secrete echinochrome, a harmless substance that turns your skin yellow, so if holding one for a minute leaves a yellow spot behind, it’s alive.
Can you take a sand dollar from the beach?
In most states, taking a living sand dollar from the beach is illegal. However, laws vary about collecting a dead one. It’s best to check for signs at the beach, look at your state laws online or ask a lifeguard or warden working at the beach.
Can you touch a live sand dollar?
You can touch a live sand dollar, but their long spines can cause puncture wounds that may become infected and result in a burning sensation. If you have picked one and it seems to move, it’s best to gently return it to the water.
