In Florida one day, we( Me, my Marine Navy Chief Engineer friend Micheal Hassey, and his two kids) went to Fort Myers to collect money cowrie seashells and, walking down the seashore, suddenly his young son David Hassey was lucky to find 2 living sand dollars, we immediately bring them back to the water.
While walking the short distance, he found more than 5 dried sand dollars; he was curious and looking for them, so he found them shortly. He took them and shocked them; we heard a rattling sound. Those were actually sand dollar doves. They wondered what was inside a sand dollar is?
I told them that they had seen some sand dollars alive on the beaches when we returned to the water. But the moment you find sand dollars are dead washed up sand dollars, and the skeleton of these dried sand dollars is called a test. I told David that, his father was smiling and looking at me.
I motivated him, Little Champ, You can find small pieces inside that look like tiny doves or birds. You will love it, so please, David, keep them protected because they are too fragile and can break easily, and then you won’t be able to stop the little birds. He was smiling and shook his head, grinning in delight.
Then, I explained to them everything from the early life cycle of a sand dollar to how to clean sand dollars at home easily. If you find sand dollar shells and want to whiten them, I discussed with them the moments we were walking along the beach.
Now since I’m writing a blog post for you about sand dollar doves, therefore, I’m sharing with you what these doves are, their meaning, and how they are made.
What are Sand Dollar Doves?
Sand dollar doves” is a name for the small, bird-like shapes inside a sand dollar’s shell; neither they are birds nor doves in real life. So what are the tiny doves inside of sand dollar shells? When a sand dollar dies and dries, these pieces, five V-shaped sand dollar teeth version, fall out. They’re called doves because they look like little birds. Many people find these shapes interesting and special.
What Does Sand Dollar Doves Meaning?
People think sand dollar doves have a special meaning. Some believe they bring peace or are reminders of nature’s wonders. Over time, stories and legends about these doves have added to their mystery.
Anatomy of a Sand Dollar
The alive sand dollar is purple or brown and feels like a hundred tiny fingers touching your hand if touched from the lower side. Its unique body has special parts that help it live in the ocean. Its hard, flat shell is called a “test.”
The shell has a star pattern on the top, which many people find beautiful. When a sand dollar is alive, it’s covered in tiny hairs called “cilia” that help it move and catch food. When a sand dollar dies, it remains a white shell called a test, if you ever check this shell from the inside, you will find 5 pairs of doves, these are their teeth present inside each section of a sand dollar’s body, the sand dollar has 5 sections. Alive Sand Dollar uses its teeth for grinding, grasping, and chewing food, which takes 15 minutes for a sand dollar to digest.
The mouth of the sand dollar lies underside. The sand dollar mouth is called Aristotle’s lantern; why it’s called Aristotle’s lantern because Aristotle, a philosopher of Greek, is a legend that one of his lanterns resembled sand dollar doves; these 5 v-shaped sand dollar teeth are called doves when a sand dollar dies.
If you touch a alive sand dollar from its lower side, which is purple or brown, it will feel like a hundred tiny fingers touching you. So don’t bother with live sand dollars.
Is it Ok To Take A Sand Dollar Shell or Sand Dollar Doves From The Beach?
If you find a purple or brown sand dollar on the beach with a fuzzy surface, it means you did find a living sand dollar. Do not collect them for your home collection. Instead, you can relocate them to the beach waters with extra care, as they are very fragile and sensitive marine living.
A dead sand dollar is always gray or white, bleached by the sun and ocean waters. It is safe to collect and can be taken as a souvenir of your beachcombing hobby.
You can see little “dove” shapes inside when a sand dollar dies and dries out. These “doves” are parts of the sand dollar’s body that helped it stay strong. They become loose when the sand dollar breaks apart. Besides the doves, you might find other tiny structures that were important to the sand dollar when it was alive.
How Do Sand Dollars Die?
Sand dollars don’t live forever. They go through a life cycle that ends with death, like other animals. When they die, their body slowly breaks down, leaving behind a hard shell or test. This empty shell is what you find on the beach. Over time, waves wash the shells ashore, and people can find them.
How Many Doves Are in a Sand Dollar?
There are usually five doves inside each sand dollar. They are shaped this way because of how the sand dollar’s body grows. This pattern happens naturally and is part of what makes sand dollars so interesting.
The Five Doves Inside a Sand Dollar
Most sand dollars have five doves inside their shell. These doves form in a special way that makes them look like little birds. The five doves are arranged in a circle, like a pattern, giving the sand dollar a unique look when it’s cracked open.
Extracting the Doves: How to Get the Doves Out of a Sand Dollar
If you find dried sand dollars, just bring them home or where you like, now how to get the doves out of a sand dollar, here’s a safe way to do it:
1. Requirements and Procedure To Follow
- Little paper towel or plate.
- Dried sand dollar shell.
- A hammer, and a screwdriver, you can do it with bare hands too
Now put the towel over a flat surface where the proper lighting and clear visibility are available. Put the dry sand dollar shell over the towel. Now gently try to crack the shell from the center by holding with fingers from both sides and thumbs over the center part.
If the shell gets cracked, you will get your first dove on the paper towel. But if hard enough, that you are unable to crack it with bare hands, take the screwdriver and hammer, gently hammer the screwdriver over the center line of the shell. And then try again with your hands to crack open the shell for the doves. You will find the tiny doves for your collection.
Handle the shell carefully because it’s fragile, and the doves are delicate, too.
DIY Sand Doller Doves Extraction
Video Short Courtesy of Jojo | Let’s Go Shelling
Are Sand Dollars Poisonous To Humans?
Some people think rare sand dollars might be harmful and poisonous, but this isn’t true. Sand dollars are safe to hold and look at. Whether they’re rare or common, they don’t contain dangerous parts.
A living sand dollar might release a yellowish substance, which often people think is poison, but it is not true. You can get the complete guide and answer to your question “Are Sand Dollars poisonous to humans?” in my blog.
Sand Dollar Teeth and Mouth Structure
A sand dollar has tiny “teeth” and a mouth on its underside. These teeth help it grind up food, like small plants and animals in the sand. The mouth is also unique, with parts that help it eat and break down food. This is how a sand dollar gets the energy it needs to survive.
Sand dollar bite is the biggest fear of mostly newcomers to the beach, but I assure you, that it is not true. Just handle it with care if it is alive. And collect the dead one for your home decor.
Also Read:
- Best Beaches for Seashells in Florida (A Local’s Guide with Expert Tips)
- The Ultimate Seashell Identification Guide: Easy Tips for New Collectors
- How to Identify Different Types of Seashells (A Beachcomber’s Complete Guide)
FAQs About Sand Dollar Doves
Why do sand dollars have doves inside them?
Sand dollar doves are parts of the sand dollar’s body that help it stay strong. When a sand dollar dies, these pieces come loose and resemble tiny birds, which people call “doves.”
How many doves are inside each sand dollar?
Most sand dollars have five doves. This number and arrangement come from how the sand dollar’s skeleton is built.
Are sand dollar doves rare?
Not really. Most sand dollars have doves, but finding an unbroken sand dollar with doves intact can be special.
Can you safely collect sand dollars from the beach?
Yes, you can collect dead sand dollars, but live sand dollars should stay in the ocean. Check local rules, as some beaches may have restrictions to protect wildlife.
What happens to a sand dollar when it dies?
When a sand dollar dies, it loses its color, and the body breaks down, leaving behind the hard skeleton or test. Waves then carry these empty shells to the shore.
Conclusion
Sand dollars have small “doves” within their shells. Usually, every sanddollar has five doves inside. It shows signs of peace, prayer, and good luck for many people around the globe.
From their special body parts to the delicate patterns they leave behind, sand dollars remind us of nature’s amazing details.
