Eccentric Sand Dollar

Also known as Western Sand Dollar, Pacific Sand Dollar, Sea-Cake, Biscuit-Urchin

Eccentric sand dollars form dense underwater beds where thousands of individuals stand vertically on edge, orienting themselves into prevailing currents to catch suspended food. Microscopic cilia and tube feet work in unison to convey captured diatoms and organic detritus along branching food grooves toward the off-center mouth. Living individuals display a velvety coat of tiny purple, brown, or grey spines, appearing distinctly different from the smooth, bleached white tests that wash ashore after death.