It seems like there is a fundamental difference between awareness of a fit back signals from various systems (fear, hunger, cold, pain, etc.) and awareness of the self as an separate entity. Animals obviously have fit back awareness but probably does not have the concept of the self, like toddlers and young children.

Self comes with language acquisition, which rewires the brain. That's why almost no one remember their baby days, it seems.

Before that language conditioning you are a perfect animal.)