Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars: Echinoidea
Six Keyhole Sand Dollar (leodia Sexiesperforata): Species Accounts
Physical characteristics: Six keyhole sand dollars are thin, flat disks with six slot-like holes and a five-way petal-like pattern of tube feet on the top side. They are about 4 inches (10 centimeters) across and are yellow to light brown.
Geographic range: Six keyhole sand dollars live along the east coast of North and South America from North Carolina to Uruguay.
Six keyhole sand dollars burrow several inches (centimeters) straight down into the sand. They use mucus strands to collect food.
Habitat: Six keyhole sand dollars live in open sandy areas clear of algae.
Diet: Six keyhole sand dollars eat algae and waste particles.
Behavior and reproduction: Six keyhole sand dollars burrow several inches (centimeters) straight down into the sand. They use mucus strands to collect food. Six keyhole sand dollars release eggs and sperm during the rainy season between late summer and autumn.
Six keyhole sand dollars and people: Six keyhole sand dollars are prized by beachcombers and collectors.
Conservation status: Six keyhole sand dollars are not considered threatened or endangered. ∎
Additional topics
- Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars: Echinoidea - Tuxedo Pincushion Urchin (mespilia Globulus): Species Accounts
- Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars: Echinoidea - Western Sand Dollar (dendraster Excentricus): Species Accounts
- Other Free Encyclopedias
Animal Life ResourceJellyfish, Sponges, and Other Simple AnimalsSea Urchins and Sand Dollars: Echinoidea - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Sea Urchins, Sand Dollars, And People, Long-spined Sea Urchin (diadema Savignyi): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS