Are Sand Dollars Alive? Learn to tell the difference and other interesting facts about Sand Dollars.

[@elftails]

“Sand dollars can't survive out of the water for more than a few minutes. If you find a live one, return it to its home by placing it gently on the sea floor, so it can continue to play its important role in Sanibel's ecosystem.” Sanibel Sea School

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for leaving this comment!

[@virakoudom143]

You’re right

[@55Harlz]

Thank you for your videos! I really enjoy watching them 😀 They are very informative and fun to watch.

[@SWFBeachLife]

55Harlz Aw shucks - thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words. Be safe!

[@trishkosakowski1928]

This video was so informative! Thank you for sharing!!

[@sweetbelly6plays254]

Thank you! I’m going to the beach soon and would love this information. I was wondering. When you find a dead sand dollar you can crack it open right? It might sound dumb to some people but I honestly would love to know!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, there are "doves" in the sand dollars that are actually part of their mouth. I picked up a ton of sand dollars last night on my tour to the Marco Island area and I will be opening a sand dollar in one of my upcoming episodes again. I did it once in the part - here's a peek: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHa6fH6eicysrKc

[@lorihoezee5353]

Thanks!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you once again Lori!!! 🙏🏼❤️

[@JayCeeMax]

The water is so clear there.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It can be! In the spring it's a beautiful aqua color. It's awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@JayCeeMax]

@@SWFBeachLife I see. Thanks for watching.

[@vaikoloavaha2224]

Yes they’re definitely a alive they move like starfish they eat shrimps and other food that they could find 🙂

[@Robertward111]

Is this seriously still being questioned today?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sadly it is. People just don't know that sand dollars used to be living critters. They don't just fall from trees!!!

[@3rdGenCamaroGirl]

My sister and I went beachcombing yesterday and we found maybe 5 or 6 live sand dollars washed up on the shore. They were very dormant but as soon as we put them back in the water they started doing their thing. They’re so furry and cute. I was lucky enough to find a complete five slotted sand dollar test yesterday

[@SWFBeachLife]

That's awesome! You were rewarded for being kind! 🐚

[@masonburley6311]

I love Sand Dollars so much!! We were in Sanibel last year, and found HUGE dead ones. I wish we could go back to shelling!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Mason Burley Last July they were EVERYWHERE on Fort Myers Beach. I hope you get to make it down here again and find some more!

[@pvtbuddie]

I always thought that sand dollars were some sort of formed thing made of sand, like an imprint made from something, or like a fossil, but more quickly formed.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't know where they came from either until I did the research. They are such interesting creatures!

[@asmrsleep3079]

I went to the beach and for the first time I found a bunch of sand dollars with my feet... It was so cool because I've NEVER seen them alive.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Isn't it amazing? I never even thought about where they came from until I moved here and found a live one. They're so cool!! I'm glad you got a chance to meet some for yourself 🤗

[@Sea_Bea]

Mermaid 🧜🏻‍♀️ money 💰

Beautiful LIVING CREATURES! IS IT DEAD IF ITS BLACK?

[@SWFBeachLife]

If the sand dollar has hairs and is moving it's not dead. Sometimes the dead ones can be dark too.

[@maosung5219]

❤❤🧡🌼🌺🌸🌷

[@Yellowstone216]

Is it just me or do I think sand dollars are cute

[@SWFBeachLife]

Not just you - so cute!! 🥰

[@ScaryFear]

Thanks for sharing. I have one I found ages ago on Honeymoon Island. It's a big one. I'll have to measure it but it's more than 3 inches. Last time we went to Sanibel they were everywhere in the water. I had to walk so carefully and the water was all muddy so we couldn't see them. I had a sand scooper and every time we put it in a sand dollar came up. It was funny and annoying.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I didn't want to walk in the water because these guys were EVERYWHERE, so I got some snorkel equipment and picked the dead ones out. I got a TON! Hopefully I can do it again in a few months - fingers crossed!

[@ScaryFear]

@@SWFBeachLife I can't wait too. Here's hoping. Less than that I hope.

[@mikrjones4788]

Maybe not me I live in NY

[@mikrjones4788]

So they aren't in my country

[@moni_venus]

40 and so years and I've never seen one alive where i live

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's wild the first time you see one. I'm so used to them by now but I adore them!

[@docv73]

I just got back from Florida, where I found my first sand dollar. After finding it, I started looking for more, but only found two more live ones. One I was absolutely certain was alive, because I found it when I scooped up a handful of sand, where it was buried. I took a few pictures then set it back on the bottom. The other one I wasn't sure, because it was lying on the bottom, upside down, in about 4 feet of water. It was still fuzzy, so I released it, but I do wonder about that one. Thanks for your videos! I just recently discovered your channel looking for a way to clean a sand dollar my wife and daughter found a few years ago. Your channel is GREAT!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Aw shucks - thank you! I hope the hydrogen peroxide works!! I think it was a good call to release that fuzzy sand dollar. It was likely still alive ☺️

[@docv73]

@@SWFBeachLife so far, after only a few hours, some of the barnacles are flashing off, so I have hopes it's work well after a day or so. Thanks for the reply!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@docv73 Fantastic!! Please keep me updated. I hope it works!

[@venckute2]

Outstanding video! This helped me a lot, now I can explain to my bff what they are/were all about!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yay!!!

[@RaeezTheDeadPoet]

This was super informative. Happily subscribed ⭐

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for subscribing!!

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

That was really cool and informative. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@kholbrook203]

Thank you so much for this wonderful, informative video. I learned so much. I never knew how to tell if a sand dollar were alive or not. I just assumed when they were dark they were alive and I was always told when white you could take those because they were dead. All your videos have really opened my eyes. Sadly I have no place to look for them. I wish I did as it would be so exciting looking for sand dollars, starfish and shells. You don’t know what it means to me watching the videos you make. I just love walking along with you. So I thank you.❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome! I had a fantastic walk last weekend and found tons of shells AND critters. I'll be sharing that in a few weeks. I found a really, really cool live critter that I've never found before!

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

All you need to know about Sand dollar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWakoGCggdSFapI

[@JupiMeow]

One time I found a bunch of live sand dollars on the beach so I moved them into the water. How long can they live outside of water?

[@SWFBeachLife]

They can survive a little while out of the water - I don't know exactly for how long, but if I had to guess I would say a few hours at most. Thank you for moving them back into the water! 🐚❤️

[@trinijoyl1720]

I LOVE SAND DOLLARS!!!!!! I HV BEEN COLLECTING SINCE AM LITTLE.am 56! Now. And my little neice LOVES THEM ALSO! Shes fascinated!!! By it. Lol. My family and friends hv no clue ab sand dollars. They think am weired. Lol

[@angelakreitzer5338]

Are sand dollars found in other parts of the world?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes they are! They are urchins and I found this online to help explain: Sand dollars are primarily found in tropical coastal regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. They live on sandy and muddy ocean floors mostly in low subtidal zones of protected bays but also in deeper waters up to 40m (131 feet).

[@lesliecalvert3458]

I learned when little black ones alive..white ones not.. :) I love your video's so interesting and fun

[@dawnthemetaldetective3083]

Thank you! I have never seen alive one!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so welcome! I didn't know anything about these guys when I moved here but I'm lucky enough to find the live critters along with the dead ones that I can keep ☺️

[@trevonduncombe5866]

Actually thank you so much 😭 I live in The Bahamas & I always thought they were rocks

[@SWFBeachLife]

I’d love to go shelling in the Bahamas!!

[@trevonduncombe5866]

@@SWFBeachLife if you come down, I’d be happy to show you some of our finest beaches!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@trevonduncombe5866 I will take you up on that if I ever plan on going there!

[@mehrdadyektaparast1368]

How do you locate them when they are under the sand?

[@SWFBeachLife]

You don't 😉

[@mehrdadyektaparast1368]

@@SWFBeachLife actually there is a way. An old man showed me how years ago. I was successful that day as I found like 10-12 in that afternoon. Now, I am an old man and can’t remember.

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@mehrdadyektaparast1368 Sorry - I meant I don’t look for the live ones. I figure they are busy doing their thing. Typically I only find them if some of their body is exposed. Otherwise they are buried and you can’t see them.

[@sherri-michellepidcock8785]

@SWFBeachlife ~ Does sand dollars have like doves shape inside of them? I heard if you break them open they do have it. Is it true?? It is my dream/bucket list too go too the beach.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, it is true! I did open up a sand dollar to show the doves and share the legend in a previous video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHa6fH6eicysrKc

[@cinfulCindy]

Found some live ones today and left them! 😊

[@kathrynpoitra2164]

I had a box of sand dollars given to me and I have a perplexing situation or question I am not crazy but everything I have read says one I have is still alive is this possible

[@SWFBeachLife]

Not possible. Sand dollars need to be in the salt water to survive, but having the dead ones is still pretty cool ☺️

[@maxwellyt9745]

Picked one up today and had yellow stuff on my finger tips after holding it

[@SWFBeachLife]

That can happen! The live ones will sometimes do that but for some reason it doesn't happen to me. 🤔

[@birdiemays7640]

Thanks again! Learning about sanddollars yes! So much stuff to learn! Thank you, Birdie

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so welcome!

[@DeathSnacker]

I am so glad I came across this video! Thank you!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@dianeburton9969]

Thank you for this video!!!!!! I’m going to make a solid effort this year to find more sand dollars!!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm releasing a new video tomorrow on how to whiten them with hydrogen peroxide. Brilliant!

[@nicelady51]

Ok. I watched. But what about the 'legend' of the sand dollar?

[@SWFBeachLife]

That was in a different video ☺️: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHa6fH6eicysrKc

[@ben-hur7729]

i just found a bunch in the parking lot at the beach!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Down here you can find fossilized shells in the parking lots too!

[@mcbawangyakuznouxman9439]

The name dollar came about because you can find them between Wales to USA.. and Sam or Sand are just there, maybe the name looks cooler?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I think they got their name because they look like coins when they're dead on the beach. Either way, they're a super cool animal that has a pretty awesome skeleton!

[@mcbawangyakuznouxman9439]

@@SWFBeachLife ...

[@mayita5641]

so cuuuuuuute

[@mishison85]

Amazing video!! Love you me work!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much!!

[@blazephoenix5849]

We were exploring the beaches for sand dollars all of which where dead but 3 where questionable, 3 of them still had their spines and tube feet but one is missing quite a lot of spines and is turning white so im 99% sure its dead and decaying, the other 2 had all of their spines though but they smelt like decaying fish, all 3 where also found pretty far away from the water so im hoping they where already dead before being taken home if not i feel bad 😓 (not that i wanted them dead i just hope we didnt kill them)

[@SWFBeachLife]

If they smelled - they were dead! It's hard to tell if you don't know what you're dealing with but that whitish one sounds like it was indeed dead and if the other 2 were stinky they were dead too. I would let them dry out 100% and use a soft toothbrush to rub off all the spines. Then I soak in 100% hydrogen and coat with 1 part water and 1 part glue.

[@blazephoenix5849]

@SWFBeachLife I'm just curious do you know of a way to preserve the spines? I think it would be cool to have one with its spines, and yes they were both stinky and the spines and legs weren't moving at all when I got them, thanks for the tips!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@blazephoenix5849 I do not know how to preserve those spines. They’re so delicate.

[@blazephoenix5849]

@SWFBeachLife probably just encase it in resine, yeah they are really delicate I can feel a bunch of them inside of the bag I'm keeping them in until we get back home, there is more and more piling up

[@danni1993]

What causes the pattern on the sand dollar?

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's just the way they are. Like blue birds or calico box crabs - they get their special colors & patterns from nature.

[@elftails]

It would be cool if you posted this on Instagram to reach more people:)))))

[@SWFBeachLife]

That is a fantastic idea! I'm going to add it to the list and hope I can find the time to get it posted!

[@patifagan6774]

Very informative.thanks

[@SWFBeachLife]

My pleasure!

[@debbiepeterson8396]

I was in the Bahamas and I found a light green Sandollar I had never seen one before so I picked it up and I was holding it and it stung me it felt like five or six bees stings all at once it left an imprint on the bottom of my hand of the star. Have you ever heard of this before?

[@debbiepeterson8396]

I also wanted to say how much I have enjoyed the 2 videos that I have watched. I am very envious of you being able to go to the beach any time you want. I live in Colorado and there aren’t any beaches around here. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thank you for sharing them with us.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have not ever heard of anything like this! I tried to do some research to find anything that would explain it and I couldn't find anything. That is so weird! I got stung my an urchin on my foot in Jamaica - those guys are NO JOKE!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm pretty lucky to live where I do and I love that I can share the beaches down here with others who can't be here themselves. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment and thanks so much for watching my videos!

[@spice6966]

THOSE THINGS STING!?

[@debbiepeterson8396]

@@spice6966 did you get stung by one? You are the only person that I have ever heard of that knows about them, other than the 3 other people who were with me when it happened.

[@clarel6252]

Great video

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks!

[@yomama8873]

That was great 💜

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)