Am I a Therian?
A few months ago, I found out what therians are. And I related to them in a way. When I was younger (from like 2nd to 4th grade), I would get called a furry because I would bark and run around on all fours and play pretend games where I was an animal during recess. And that was part of what made me question if I'm a therian. I have loved nature for as long as I can remember, and my mom has pictures of me climbing trees, and picking flowers, and rolling around in the dirt. Also, my best friend when I was younger recently told me he is a therian, and a lot of the time we would play animal games together and stuff. still want to do the things I did when I was younger, but I guess I realised that it wasn't normal to do that stuff and I hated the teaseing. I also think I migh be a demitherian bc I'm also at peace with my human identity, but Idk, tell me what you think pls!
View hidden comment
wikiHow forums are moderated for quality. Learn more about our moderation policy here.
Submit Answer
Therianthropy really differs from person to person. You can be a therian without going by the label, because whether or not you have the identity isn't a choice, but whether or not you use the label is a choice.
The definition of a therian is to involuntarily identify as a non-human animal. Outside of giving that definition, no one but you can tell you whether or not you’re a therian. There are commonly shared experiences among therians, but those things aren’t what make you a therian. Everyone is different, so it’s tough to figure out. You just need to ask yourself, how do you view your identity? For any reason, maybe a connection, personal animalistic experiences, or a disconnection from humanity, anything... do you, in some way, identify as a non-human animal? Do you feel inhuman in any way? Whether it be you feel part non-human, or fully non-human. Or maybe it fluctuates, and some days you feel more non-human than others.
It’s also important to note that there’s more than therianthropy. Therian falls under the label of alterhuman, and there are dozens of other alterhuman identities that differ from therians. If you find you’re not a therian, you might want to start looking at other identities! There’s probably something that will fit your experience.
A lot of people realize they are therians by coming across therians online and then researching the identity for themselves. Most therians are aware of their therianthropy before they have words to describe it. The most commonly spoken about experience is simply to not feel human. For example, I knew about my therian experiences when I was a kid, but didn't know what they were. I didn’t have the words to describe my experiences; all I knew was I didn’t fully feel human despite my body being a human's. I involuntarily experienced non-human instincts, urges, thoughts, characteristics, etc.
View hidden comment
The definition of a therian is to involuntarily identify as a non-human animal. Outside of giving that definition, no one but you can tell you whether or not you’re a therian. There are commonly shared experiences among therians, but those things aren’t what make you a therian. Everyone is different, so it’s tough to figure out. You just need to ask yourself, how do you view your identity? For any reason, maybe a connection, personal animalistic experiences, or a disconnection from humanity, anything... do you, in some way, identify as a non-human animal? Do you feel inhuman in any way? Whether it be you feel part non-human, or fully non-human. Or maybe it fluctuates, and some days you feel more non-human than others.
It’s also important to note that there’s more than therianthropy. Therian falls under the label of alterhuman, and there are dozens of other alterhuman identities that differ from therians. If you find you’re not a therian, you might want to start looking at other identities! There’s probably something that will fit your experience.
A lot of people realize they are therians by coming across therians online and then researching the identity for themselves. Most therians are aware of their therianthropy before they have words to describe it. The most commonly spoken about experience is simply to not feel human. For example, I knew about my therian experiences when I was a kid, but didn't know what they were. I didn’t have the words to describe my experiences; all I knew was I didn’t fully feel human despite my body being a human's. I involuntarily experienced non-human instincts, urges, thoughts, characteristics, etc.
I would recommend a lot of research. Look at different kinds of animals and try to see what fits. Investigate the behaviors of animals. Know that not all of your behaviors are going to line up with your theriotype, because people's personalities can be completely different from their theriotype. They do not always intertwine. For me, I'm not super bold usually, but I still am a lion.
So, don't focus too hard on your particular personality, and instead focus on your therian identity. Try looking inwards spiritually if you feel like it is more of a spiritual identity. Try to think about what your soul might be, what your soul is saying to you. Assess what things you do involuntarily that are animalistic and not very humanoid, and try to align them with a particular species.
Sometimes, you'll look at an exotic animal and go, "Wow, yeah, that is it." I have heard that sentiment going around because sometimes there are really rare animals that you do not see in everyday life, and it takes a while to discover them.
View hidden comment
So, don't focus too hard on your particular personality, and instead focus on your therian identity. Try looking inwards spiritually if you feel like it is more of a spiritual identity. Try to think about what your soul might be, what your soul is saying to you. Assess what things you do involuntarily that are animalistic and not very humanoid, and try to align them with a particular species.
Sometimes, you'll look at an exotic animal and go, "Wow, yeah, that is it." I have heard that sentiment going around because sometimes there are really rare animals that you do not see in everyday life, and it takes a while to discover them.
Therianthropy encompasses a wide range of experiences. The term therian is pretty vague in definition; it is anyone who identifies as a non-human animal. When it comes to identity and identifying, that is basically the key indicator that you are a therian. If you identify as an animal and you feel you are an animal, regardless of whether you feel more connected to being a human sometimes, as long as you feel like you are the animal and your theriotype, then you can use the label therian. And there's nothing wrong with using the label therian until it doesn't fit or doesn't feel right. I recommend trying out the label therian and wearing it for a while. And if the label feels comfortable for you, then use it. It doesn't really matter what other folks say about the experience or if you have a different experience from another therian, as long as you identify as a non-human animal.
View hidden comment
I am a therian too! And from what you are saying here, you very possibly could be! It’s really up to you to find out for yourself. But, if you’ve ever had a shift (and if you don’t know, that’s when you mentally become your theriotype, and might not even realize anything is wrong), then yes, you probably are. :3
View hidden comment
Same, I will hiss and growl and meow, crawl on all 4's, and I love nature. I have always known I was an animal, but I got called a furry, so now I take it as a rude compliment.
View hidden comment
i feel the same way! i get called a furry all the time and would play games like that too
View hidden comment
When I was younger, I would often pretend to be a cat, and it always felt like I was one; it felt normal to me. And now I have a very deep connection to tigers, especially. And very recently, while on the trip to New Zealand, I had an urge to go on all fours on a beach we were at. And also, I have been doing this paw-like hand gesture without anyone around. And sometimes when I am doing quads, I feel like I'm more tiger doing it. and stuff like that. Am I a therian because of these experiences? specifically a tiger therian?
And even sometimes when we're in the car, I imagine that I'm a tiger running. and when we are in the woods on hikes I feel "at Home". And I think that the therian label fits me.
View hidden comment
And even sometimes when we're in the car, I imagine that I'm a tiger running. and when we are in the woods on hikes I feel "at Home". And I think that the therian label fits me.
when I was younger I would be called a furry by my brothers friends because I made animal noises
View hidden comment
What’s on your mind? Ask anything.
Get advice and feedback from experts and wikiHow readers just like you.
Ask a Question
