What is THIS???

[scubajb]

I was snorkeling with my family this last summer down in the warm ocean waters and my son found this in about 3 feet of water. I have been asked a couple of times what it was and, honestly, I have no idea! What do you all think?

 

[ClevelandDiver]

Sand dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[scubajb]

Never saw one that wasn't flattened out nor as big as this... thanks! Probably 7 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 4 inches tall... big un...

 

[njd3rph]

yes, it's a sand dollar

 

[Zieg]

They're types of sand dollars, sea urchins, some call them sea biscuits. Do a search with "class Echinoidea", should give you a bunch of information.

 

[justleesa]

you can see some good pics of live ones here

 

[Walter]

Sand Dollars are flat. That is a Sea Biscuit.

 

[Speargirl]

Sand Dollars are flat. That is a Sea Biscuit.

Beat me to it

 

[blesi varney]

Yup, you beat me to it, too.

 

[DiverBAS]

Here in Hawaii they are called Heart Urchins and the Helmet Snail eats them (that's where the hole came from, probably). They live and travel under the sand. When they are alive they are a purple/red with short bristles all over them.
If you are diving and start to see a bunch of the white hollow shells, look for a Helmet Snail!