Sand Dollar

Common Name: Sand Dollar

Scientific Name: Dendraster excentricus

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family: Animalia, Echinodermata, Echinoidea, Clypeasteroidea, Dendrasteridae

Diet: Omnivorous, algae, small invertebrates

Habitat: Fine sand bottoms, bays, lagoons, inlets, tidal channels; running parallel to shore

Range: Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico

Identification: Flat body, purple color, with small spines, petal-like design on top

Reproduction: Broadcast spawning (discharge fertile sperm and eggs into water), breeding season in summer

Behavior: Burrow anterior half in sand to assist in feeding

Predators: Fish and invertebrates