Understanding Therians

Therians are individuals who identify deeply with a particular animal species, engaging in behaviors and experiencing shifts related to their animal identity. They may identify as multiple species (polytherians) or extinct animals (paleotherians). Therians differ from furries, who view their animal personas as characters, and from spirit animals, as therian identities are deeply intertwined with the individual.

What is a key characteristic of therians?

• They only engage in animal-related activities for fun.

• They identify deeply with a particular animal species.

• They believe in mythical creatures.

• They have physical characteristics of animals.

What might therians experience that connects them to their animal identity?

• Reading about animals

• Dreams about animals

• Shifts where they feel impulses to behave as their animal self

• Physical transformations

What is a polytherian?

• A therian who does not identify with any animal

• A therian who identifies as a single animal species

• A therian who identifies as an extinct animal

• A therian who identifies as multiple species

How do therians differ from furries?

• Therians participate in animal conventions.

• Therians wear animal costumes.

• Therians create animal characters for fun.

• Therians see their animal identity as an integral part of themselves.

What is a key difference between therians and Spirit Animals?

• Spirit Animals are a form of entertainment.

• Spirit Animals are always mythical creatures.

• Therian identities are separate entities.

• Therian identities are deeply intertwined with the individual.