Sand {dollars} are flat, spherical echinoderms that reside in sandy or muddy ocean bottoms. They’re intently associated to sea urchins and starfish. Sand {dollars} are present in all oceans all over the world, however they’re commonest in heat, shallow waters. They’ll vary in measurement from just a few centimeters to over 10 centimeters in diameter.
Sand {dollars} are essential members of the marine ecosystem. They assist to scrub the sand and take away natural matter from the ocean ground, and they’re a meals supply for a lot of different animals, together with fish, crabs, and birds. Sand {dollars} are additionally common with beachcombers and collectors on account of their distinctive form and exquisite patterns.