Is it illegal to take home a live sand dollar?
Is it illegal to take home a live sand dollar? In most states, taking a living sand dollar from the beach is illegal. However, laws vary about collecting a dead sand dollar. It's best to check for signs at the beach, look at your state laws online or ask a lifeguard or warden working at the beach.
Can you take live sand dollars from the beach?
Live sand dollars will have a greenish or reddish brown color with a velvety coating. Dead sand dollars will be gray. If you're unsure, err on the side of caution, and put the sand dollar back in the water. It's illegal to remove a live sand dollar from the beach.
How rare are live sand dollars?
Because sand dollars are so prolific, they are very common. The cost of a live sand dollar for an aquarium might run between five and fifteen dollars. You can pick up a sand dollar skeleton at many local beach souvenir shops from anywhere from a dollar to five dollars.