Primate infant care, skin-to-skin

The photos aim to highlight the intimate bond that exists in primates between the infant and the other members of the group, and particularly the mother. Primates have a relatively long infant developmental stage compared to other mammals of a similar size and therefore need more parental care than other mammals before individuals can become independent. The mother-offspring relationship is arguably the closest social bond in primates. The mother provides a secure emotional base for the infant by passively offering contact-comfort and warmth. The mother-infant relationship is also influenced by interaction with  other group members: although females are certainly the group members who are the most attracted to infants, males also play an important role in the social interactions of infants in some species.