The Dartmouth Animal Control posted some fun facts to its Facebook page, after spotting a mother duck leading her babies away from the Dartmouth Mall.

"Ducks will nest in an area secluded and safe for them and there babies. The nest tree must also be near water, although ducks have been seen searching for nest sites a mile from the nearest body of water. The ducklings must make a perilous journey from such a nest to the water, and the survival rate declines with the distance the young must travel.

"This Momma duck is a good example of what nature does every year. She will nest her eggs where she knows is the safest place, which happens to be in the secluded wooded area on the side of the Mall closes to Macy's. Once these babies are old enough, she will do a long and stressful walk — with the little ones following — across the very long parking lot to the Paskamansett River.

"You see, animals are the most fascinating creatures. These animals, believe or not, are so used to doing things to survive around us, we don't even see what they accomplish. This momma has done this same routine every year for who knows how long and is able to keep the same pattern going and or pass [it] on to her babies. Need more info? Go to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife."