Sand dollars are sensitive marine animals that can only survive a short time out of water—usually around 1 to 2 hours. They rely on moisture to breathe through tiny spines and cilia on their underside, which quickly stop working when they begin to dry out. Without constant hydration, their systems fail, and they cannot live for long on land. Factors like heat and dryness can speed up this process, while cool, humid conditions may offer slightly more time. If you find a sand dollar on the beach that’s still dark in color and shows slight movement, it’s likely alive and should be returned to the water immediately. Taking live sand dollars disrupts delicate marine ecosystems, so it’s important to handle them responsibly. To learn more about their survival needs and how to tell if one is alive or dead, visit how long sand dollars can live out of water.