As we move through spring and into summer the Western Swamp Tortoises are also on the move, out of the drying swamps and into aestivation tunnels. Aestivation is a type of hibernation that occurs over summer and the tortoises use natural or artificial aestivation tunnels. Aestivation protects the tortoises from the hot Western Australian summer and any bushfires that may occur. It is also the place where eggs are laid and incubated for hatching the following winter.