Sand Dollars

A lesson Planned by Jenny Ziehler

What we will cover

Legend of the Sand Dollar What really is a Sand Dollar What they look like How they eat What their life cycle is like And different types of sand dollars

Story Of the Sand Dollar

In Maine, children where taught to believe that sand dollars where pressed sand Another legend claims that Sand Dollars are money for mermaids Another Legend Claims, There are five doves inside, If you break a sand dollar open, the doves will be released, bring peace to the lands.

What is a Sand Dollar

A marine invertebrate closely related to the sea urchin The doves inside the sand dollar where actually once the teeth They live on the bottom of the sand sea floor, hiding under sand when threatened.

What does a Sand Dollar look like?

A live Sand Dollar is described as looking like a fuzzy cookie. There is cilia on the bottom of the sand dollar for transportation and helping them feed. They have a 5 part radial symmetry Skin is made up of hard calcium carbonate plates Grow up to 4-5 inches

How do Sand Dollars eat

Sand Dollars pick up minute sized organic particles from the ocean floor The hole in the center of the bottom of the sand dollar is where the mouth is located

Life Cycle
Sand Dollars will often live in large groups Most often living to 6-10 years, they reach sexual maturity between the ages of 1 and 4 Sand dollars are external fertilizers

Different types of Sand Dollars

Arrowhead
Flat with indents along the outer edge Found mostly along the western coast

Sea biscuit
Small round and puffy Has five large petals Flat on the bottom Sometimes found in florida

Interesting facts
Sand dollars in colder temperatures have no holes Sand dollars in tropical weather do have holes in them Sand dollars found on the beach are most often the empty shell of the dead sand dollar They will burry themselves standing strait up to avoid getting washed away with the tide