The theta-delta, a symbol of therianthropy since 2003
A therian wearing a mask
Therians, also known as therianthropes, are individuals who identify as one or more nonhuman animals, partially or entirely, on a personal level, which they call their theriotypes.[1][2][3][4] Theriotypes can be extinct or extant animals; while canines (such as wolves and foxes) and felines (such as house cats and panthers) appear to be the most common,[5] they include a wide range of species such as birds, reptiles, other mammals, and invertebrates.[1] The enduring experience of identifying as a nonhuman animal is commonly referred to as therianthropy.[6]
The modern Western therian community started in 1993 on an internet forum for werewolf fiction.[7][8] In academic writing, the topic has usually been split between two views: the one of psychiatry, which has linked such cross-species beliefs to mental illness or delusions, and the one of anthropology, which treats them as spiritual phenomena or shamanistic belief systems;[8][9] more recently, it has also begun to be explored in terms of narrative identity and as a phenomenon to be understood holistically on its own terms rather than fitted neatly into existing categories.[2][10]:43
Etymology
The word "therianthropy" originates from the Greek word theríon, which translates to "wild animal" or "beast", and anthrōpos, meaning 'human being'. It was used to refer to animal transformation folklore of Europe as early as 1901.[11] In 1915, the Japanese publication A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era first used the word "therianthropy" to refer to the spiritual aspect of the transformation of humans into wild animals.[12] In its original definition, it is defined as "combining human and animal form".[13]
From the early 1990s, participants in online communities such as the Usenet group alt.horror.werewolves began using the word "therianthropy" as self‑description,[7] and this community‑specific identity sense became more widespread in the early 2000s.[14][pageneeded]
Identities
Therian identities are diverse and expressed in a wide variety of ways. Therians often identify as one or more animal species that exist in real life, called their theriotype.[15] Those who identify with more than one animal are referred to as "polytherians".[10] The most common species therians identify as are wolves, dogs, foxes, and felines,[5][16]:76–77 though can include any animal, such as horses, deer, other mammals, insects, aquatic life, avians, reptiles, and dinosaurs.[16]:76–77 Some identify not as a specific species, but rather a taxonomic genus or family; this experience is called "cladotherianthropy", after the word clade, and those who experience it are called "cladotherians".[16]:76–77
A collection of therian gear, consisting of masks, taxidermy tails, and a collar
Among its members, therianthropy is seen as a long-standing, internal identity that develops through a gradual process of self-discovery.[17] This identity is typically considered involuntary and integral to the self.[18]:23–24 Unlike clinical lycanthropy, which is linked to belief in actual physical transformation into an animal,[19] therians consider their identity strictly non-physical.[1][2]:24[20][21]
Therians often describe going through an "awakening" where they first discover and accept their identity.[14][pageneeded][22]
Shifts
Many therians experience shifts, which refer to a temporary change in behavior or mindset that causes them to act like their identified animal;[23] this can also include the sensation of "phantom limbs," where a therian feels limbs they do not physically have, such as ears or a tail, or experiences changes in sensory perception.[24]
Gear
Wearing animal-themed accessories, the most common of which being masks, tails, and gloves, are popular (though collars and socks are also known to be used) among therians.[15]
Related groups
A diagram showing the therian community’s place under the alterhuman umbrella
Therians draw a clear line between themselves and the furry fandom; while furries are interested in role-playing and dressing up as anthropomorphic cartoon animals, therians identify internally as natural animals.[25] Therians also claim to be different from otherkin: while otherkin often base their identities on fictional creatures, like dragons, elves, unicorns, and angels, therians associate themselves with earthly animals.[26] However, therianthropy is considered by many to be a subset of the broader otherkin umbrella, with some therians having participated in, or continuing to be involved in, otherkin communities.[20][27] The term "alterhuman" was coined in 2014 as an umbrella label encompassing any type of identity that constitutes an alternative to the common social ideas of humanity, under which both otherkinity and therianthropy are commonly included.[18][24][28]
Human-animal transformation beliefs have ancient roots seen in 31,000-year-old archaeological artifacts and shamanistic traditions.[29]
1990s
Usenet newsgroups targeted towards fans of horror and fantasy genres such as alt.horror.werewolves (AHWW) were the first places to have members identify as therians.[23]
Demographics
In a small study from 2024 of 200 alterhumans' Tumblr blogs, 49% identified as LGBTQ+, 28% struggled with mental health, and a quarter identified as neurodivergent. Religious minorities made up a very small percentage of the population, at about 2.5%, despite spiritual reasons behind the identity being slightly more common than psychological reasons (61% compared to 58.5%). These statistics are from a population who identify as a non-human animal from conviction rather than choice.[24][30]
The therian community exists mainly online, with many of its members living in the United States or Western Europe.[7][16]
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