Imprinting is a rapid learning process that occurs during a specific critical period in an animal's early life. It often involves forming attachments to the first moving object or caregiver the animal encounters, which is usually its mother. This behavior is crucial for survival, as it helps young animals recognize their parents and learn essential survival skills. One well-known example of imprinting is seen in ducklings, which will follow the first object they see after hatching, often their mother. This phenomenon was first studied by Konrad Lorenz, who demonstrated that imprinting can influence social behavior and species recognition in various animals.