How can I tell whether a sand dollar is alive?

A living sand dollar is brown or purple and covered with tiny spines.

Is a bleached white sand dollar alive?

No. A smooth, bleached white sand dollar is the skeleton of the animal.

The spines help it move, dig into sand or mud, and pass food to its mouth.

Return a brown or purple sand dollar with spines to the water.

Living sand dollar

A brown or purple sand dollar with tiny spines is alive. Return it to the water.

A living sand dollar is brown or purple rather than bleached white.

Tiny moving spines cover a living sand dollar. A smooth, bleached white sand dollar is its skeleton.

If the sand dollar is brown or purple and has spines, return it to the water.

This page gives general identification and response guidance for a living sand dollar.

It does not report a local sighting, rule, legal allowance, penalty, treatment step, or phone number.

How can I tell whether a sand dollar is alive?: A living sand dollar is brown or purple and covered with tiny spines.; Sources: North Carolina Sea Grant sand dollar guide (opens in a new tab), University of Texas Marine Science Institute sand dollar program (opens in a new tab)
Is a bleached white sand dollar alive?: No. A smooth, bleached white sand dollar is the skeleton of the animal.; Sources: North Carolina Sea Grant sand dollar guide (opens in a new tab), University of Texas Marine Science Institute sand dollar program (opens in a new tab)
How does a living sand dollar use its spines?: The spines help it move, dig into sand or mud, and pass food to its mouth.; Sources: North Carolina Sea Grant sand dollar guide (opens in a new tab), University of Texas Marine Science Institute sand dollar program (opens in a new tab)
What should I do if I find a living sand dollar?: Return a brown or purple sand dollar with spines to the water.; Source: North Carolina Sea Grant sand dollar guide (opens in a new tab)