Five-holed Sand Dollar
Mellita quinquiesperforata · Also known as: keyhole sand dollar, sand dollar
Flat, round echinoderm of Mid-Atlantic sands. Live animals are purple-brown; bleached white “dollars” are classic beach souvenirs.
Quick facts
| Group | Echinoderm |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Offshore / ocean, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | year-round |
How to recognize them
- Disc-shaped body with five elongated keyhole slots; flower-like petal pattern on top.
- Live sand dollars are fuzzy brown-purple; empty tests bleach white in sun and surf.
Biology notes
- Burrows just under sand, feeding on tiny particles with tube feet and spines.
- Related to sea urchins—an echinoderm, not a shell.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Ocean City and Assateague beaches in the wrack and shallow swash.
- Live animals sometimes at the waterline on calm days—look for moving “fuzzy” discs.
When to look
- Empty tests year-round; live finds more often in warmer months.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Collect only clean white tests; return live purple-brown animals to the water.
