Mother knows best May 06, 2016 1:00 PM | Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano pburch@tulane.edu View PDF A female mallard carefully watches over her newly hatched chicks in Bayou Metairie in New Orleans’ City Park. Females may lay more than half their body weight in eggs. Chicks are able to swim as soon as they hatch, and instinctively stay near their mother for warmth and protection but also to learn about their surroundings and to learn how to find food. Other Related Articles Elevating leadership excellence: Discover the Tulane University Leadership Institute Chess tournament shows revitalization of the game at Tulane Tulane Commencement celebrates the resilience and ambition of the Class of 2024 Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger visits Tulane anthropology classes Tulane freshman with muscular dystrophy finds joy and fulfillment on campus