Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

The sand dollar is particularly well adapted for burrowing in sandy substrates. Very small spines used for digging and crawling cover the entire surface of its body and are appressed backwards toward the posterior anus. The mouth is located in the center of the body’s underside. The upper surface exhibits pentaradiate symmetry, with a pattern of five “petals” spreading out from the center. Some species found stranded on the shores of North America have five or six slots, or lunules, through the test (external skeleton). Most sands dollars  measure from 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) in diameter. Species of comparable size occur in shallow coastal waters throughout the rest of the world, except in Europe and Antarctica.

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar

Sand Dollar