Sand dollar

Sand Dollars are a beachcomber's treasure on lowcountry beaches. Here's how to tell the white tests from living creatures. That's important, because the fines for taking living sand dollars can be high.

At low tide at the tidepools, we find some interesting tracks. This looks like something plowed through the sand. This is a living sand dollar. Technically called a keyhole urchin, you can see that it looks like a flat sea urchin. Underneath, tiny spines are moving. These help the urchin move through the sand substrate. Some live completely buried in sand, and they can often be found in groups. Sometimes all you can see is the keyholes through the sand. Predators include sea stars and the octopus. They feed on detritus, plankton, and algae. Inside they have 5 teeth in a structure called “aristotle’s lantern”. If you find a sand dollar on the beach with spines, leave it be. If you find the bleached remains, called a “test” it’s safe to keep.

[smallfoxstudios]

Thank you for this video! It was short, sweet, and to the point. Happy trails to you!