Sand Dollar (Echinarachnius parma)
Sand Dollar (Echinarachnius parma)
Common name: sand dollar
Scientific name: Echinarachnius parma
Locations: shallow waters of the coast in fine sand
Seasonality: available all year
Colors: deep grey, brown
Size: 2” - 3”
Collected: by hand
Quantity: sold by the each
Tidepool Tim says, "It's important to recognize the difference between a dead sand dollar and a live one! You may have seen bright white sand dollars for sale in gift shops, these are definitely bleached, and definitely dead. Dead dollars on the beach will usually be a much lighter color than live ones, probably a tan or light grey color. These have smooth bottoms. In contrast, live dollars have 'fuzzy' bottoms, which are their tube feet."