Sand {dollars} are flat, spherical echinoderms that reside in sandy or muddy ocean bottoms. They’re carefully associated to sea urchins and starfish. Sand {dollars} are present in all oceans all over the world, however they’re most typical in heat, shallow waters. They will vary in measurement from a number of centimeters to over 10 centimeters in diameter.
Sand {dollars} are vital 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 fashionable with beachcombers and collectors attributable to their distinctive form and delightful patterns.