Great apes differ not only externally among the species but also in their nature. They are individual personalities. They can think, act insightfully and deliberately, possess self-awareness, and are capable of creatively shaping their spatial and social everyday life. Therefore, it should not surprise us that the mother-child relationship of great apes aligns in many ways with that of humans. However, there are also differences. The great ape infant essentially grows up in a "maternal cocoon." From birth, it is carried by its mother around the clock for several months. During this time, it engages in a constant, never-ending dialogue with the mother, conducted through all the senses. The early days of life determine whether the newborn and its mother find each other and establish a bond.