Sea Cookie - Clypeaster oshimensis
The Science
Sand dollars are species of burrowing, flat sea urchins. While most of us recognize sand dollars or cookies as having a flat surface, when they are in the water they have a fur-like layer of spines on their surfaces. The white sand dollars that we see are their skeletons, called the test. Test are 5 symmetrical calcium carbonate plates arranged together, hence the star shape some species of them possess. They can move across the sea floor using the coordinated movements of its spines.
The Story
Sand dollars owe their name to the resemblance their skeletons bear to silver coins. In the southern United States, people once believed they were coins lost by mermaids.
DETAILS
SKU: AP-AQ015Dimensions: ~1 Inch
Scientific Name: Sutorria mesoleuca
Origin: Russia, North America
Shipping Restrictions: International wildlife export fees apply
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- Color:
- White
- Color:
- Urchin
- Origin:
- Russia
- Impact:
- Shop Small
- Impact:
- Eco-Friendly
- Shipping Restrictions:
- IF&W
