How many theriotypes can one person have?
So, I'm a therian, (as stated by my name), and I have a bunch of therian friends. One day, I was making a big drawing of all of our theriotypes, when it occurred to me I didn't know what one of my friends had. (Let's call her W.). So, I asked W, and she gave me a whole LIST. I swear, this girl gave me like 8 animals. I just kinda said 'ok', and wrote them down, skeptical. So, can you have 8 theriotypes, or is W lying?
View hidden comment
wikiHow forums are moderated for quality. Learn more about our moderation policy here.
Submit Answer
Some people are polytherians who identify as more than one theriotype. There's no limit to how many theriotypes a person can have, so it's totally possibly that one of your friends has 8 theriotypes. There are a few different types of polytherians they may relate to as well:
View hidden comment
- Genutherians identify as all animals of a certain genus, such as every type of fox.
- Cladotherians identify with an entire group of animals that share a common ancestor (like every type of canine).
- Omnitherians identify as all animals on Earth at the same time.
This is a commonly debated question, but there technically isn't a limit. You can have unlimited theriotypes.
View hidden comment
Yes. So a Theriotype is the animal you identify as, but some Therians identify as more than one animal, and there’s no upper limit. You can have as many Theriotypes as feel true to you.
For some Therians, one Theriotype might be more dominant, like a primary Theriotype, while others are less present or only show up at times. Some people feel like they are multiple animals at once, or they identify as one or the other at different times. It really varies from person to person.
Also, some Therians identify as a broader category, like an entire genus. For example, someone might identify as all felines—lion, tiger, cheetah—rather than just one specific species.
For others, different parts of themselves may be represented by different animals. So maybe they feel like a bird sometimes and something else another time. It’s really diverse and individual. But in short, yes—you can have eight Theriotypes, if that reflects your experience.
View hidden comment
For some Therians, one Theriotype might be more dominant, like a primary Theriotype, while others are less present or only show up at times. Some people feel like they are multiple animals at once, or they identify as one or the other at different times. It really varies from person to person.
Also, some Therians identify as a broader category, like an entire genus. For example, someone might identify as all felines—lion, tiger, cheetah—rather than just one specific species.
For others, different parts of themselves may be represented by different animals. So maybe they feel like a bird sometimes and something else another time. It’s really diverse and individual. But in short, yes—you can have eight Theriotypes, if that reflects your experience.
For me, I only have one strict theriotype. I technically also identify as a werelion (in otherkin) because that also feels right to me. In fictionkin, which is another kind of alterhuman, I am a lion hybrid. Anything on the spectrum from lion to human, human with lion ears, I feel that is me. A lion that is upright and acts like a human, that is also me. But my only theriotype is African lion.
That said, anyone can have as many therian types as they feel they are. There is no limit to therian types at all. There has been some discourse in the community where people have tried to put a limit on it, but there is really no limit to identity.
View hidden comment
That said, anyone can have as many therian types as they feel they are. There is no limit to therian types at all. There has been some discourse in the community where people have tried to put a limit on it, but there is really no limit to identity.
wait, so your an otherkin or an alterhuman, or a therian? Im sorry I'm confused, I'm pretty new to being a therian, so ya, I'm cluesless
View hidden comment
Great question! Alterhuman is an umbrella term for all non-human identities. Otherkin often means you identify as a fantastical or mythological creature, whereas therian means you identify as more of an earth-bound creature. I identify most strongly as an African lion as a therian, but I also have an otherkin and fictionkin (animals from fictional media) identity.
View hidden comment
I'm a polytherian. Just ask her about the one that she likes the most or which one she dresses up like the most. I like my fox one and dress up like it the most. Same thing with my manned wolf. (More of my fox though it being my favorite animal).
View hidden comment
so I don't know whether I'm furry or therian I have had a shift last month but I don't know if that determines anything I feel a spiritual contact with dogs but that might also be a furry thing so based on your knowledge which am I ?
View hidden comment
you can be both of course! the shifts and the spiritual connection definetly is leaning towards therian but furries are a choice so up to you!
View hidden comment
I was a secret/furry before I got a huge shift, and now I'm both, but my parents hate it all, so they don't know, or anyone in my family.
View hidden comment
I'm a wolf, cat, fox, dragon(does that even count?), leopard, tiger, "Jungle Wolf"(something I came up with for a YouTube project I haven't released yet) and a few others I can think of off the top of my head. I'm also both a therian and a furry. (Also, how do I change my account name?)
View hidden comment
So, therians are really meant to be someone who identifies as earth animals, like everything that's not fiction, and from what I know otherkins are fictional creatures.
View hidden comment
so you can have up to as many therotypes they feel they are. like I know a friend who has like 11 therotypes so yeah
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
