WANTED: A Sweet Escape

Hiding from the paparazzi, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was in its shell and facing the wall of its cage in the Aquarium. The environment reproduced for the animal was a sandy forest floor with pine tree trunks and other forest floor debris (pine needles, bark, etc.). The carapace looks slightly smooth but the grooves are still visible, therefore this tortoise is probably a mature adult but is quite young, compared to other gopher tortoises, though the sex is elusive. But I wonder if the sandy floor provided is deep enough for the tortoise to burrow and makes tunnels or if the sandy floor is just that, a floor. If this latter statement is true, then the aquarium should look into rearranging this exhibit and allowing for the tortoise to burrow and have the tunnels displayed, much like the display of the ground hog or other fossorial creatures. I am also curious about the position of the tortoise and I wonder if this is normal or if maybe the veterinarians should take a look at this tortoise.