# Sand Dollar

A sand dollar is a flat, round shell that lives in the sand on the ocean floor. They are very special and look like a coin!

- **Category:** [Wonders](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/wonders)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Dolla, Sand Dollar Sea Urchin, Sea Biscuit

![Sand Dollar](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426287/objects/5427.jpg)

## Appearance

The Sand Dollar is a flattened, disk-shaped sea urchin with a rigid, circular or oval shell called a test. Its surface often appears white or pale gray when found on beaches, but living ones are typically covered in tiny, velvety spines ranging from greenish to purplish-brown.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Living sand dollars are covered in tiny, moving spines, making them feel like velvet!
- Sand dollars can stand on edge in the sand to catch tiny food bits!
- The five "petal" pattern on their top is actually part of their unique breathing system!
- Tiny baby sand dollars swallow sand to weigh themselves down and not float away!

## Traits

- [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Miscellaneous Wonders](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/miscellaneous-wonders)
- [Wonders](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/wonders)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Sand Dollar?

Compare shape, texture, structure and where you found it. Worn shells, feathers, pine cones, coral and bone can look like something else entirely. Nature Find Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

## Where to spot

- [Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/j-ji7em-and-kwulh-marine-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Wonders

- [Seashell](https://www.snappit.app/explore/seashell)
- [Conch Shell](https://www.snappit.app/explore/conch-shell)
- [Starfish (Dried)](https://www.snappit.app/explore/starfish-dried)
- [Coral Fragment](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral-fragment)

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Source: [Sand Dollar: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sand-dollar)