Recently I have noticed alot of people fake claiming bird therians. I think this might stem from a lack of understanding of bird therians. So I am to hopefully clear things up. Please keep in mind I will speak about my experience and I cannot speak for all bird therians or all crow therians. Ask away

i grew up in the deep south, i still live here. naturally, this comes with views that are very anti-anything that isnt cishet nuerotypical way of life. ive done an amazing job and preventing myself of being so close minded, ive accepted various disabilities i have, many hobbies and interests that have a large lgbtq presence within the communities, and ive largely accepted my identity except for the fact that i feel like a therian

i have so much guilt and judgement for myself over it, even if i accepted the term for myself i would still feel very outcasted. everyone seems to have accepted their therian identity for years now. i feel like i should have this figured out already.

i also feel like i shouldnt be this way (due to my upbringing) but i cant help but feel this way, ive always felt a deep personal connection to certain animals that's further than usual.

feel free to give advice on how to combat such feelings

idk, i just needed some where to get this out

So, I might be an australian cattle dog, and I'm leaning more towards blue heeler. My bf said that he sees me as a red heeler (he's also a therian btw). I don't know if I'm just leaving more towards blue heeler bc that's what I'm mostly in contact with (my aunt's dog and my old neighbour's dog) or what's going on. Any tips on how to find out? I did some research but can't find any differences in theri behavour, only their coat, yk?

Recently I've acquired my first raccoon tail clip-on. I've been wanting to have some sort of accessory in order to subtly express my theriotype in public, along with wearing striped clothing. It's a small 8 inch tail and I experimented clipping it on the right side of my pants belt loop. While walking, I noticed that my arm kept rubbing against the tail, so I stopped and clipped it on the left thigh belt loop. This was better, since the way my arm swings on my left side doesn't rub against the tail. It felt pretty good having a little tail accessory on me, and I went for an extra long walk around my neighborhood with it, since I felt a sudden surge of energy and wanted to be outdoors. I'm still a little self-conscious of people seeing me with my tail, so I try to avoid large crowds if possible... though, I'm sure most people don't notice or don't care.

However, during my endless research on how people react to therians and furries, I've noticed a consistent pattern. Most people seem to react in fear or disgust when the tail is clipped directly behind you, swaying back and forth. If the tail is clipped to the side of your thigh, people usually just view it as a fashion statement. My theory is that humans have this innate urge to hate anything that attempts to distort their image of what a person should look like. They are afraid of change and prefer to hold onto old ideals and traditions... and consider anything that deviates from them as an attack on their humanity!

This is just my personal opinion, I could be wrong. My two questions for you all are:

If you wear a tail, where do you usually clip them on yourselves?

&

If anyone has reacted negatively to your tail, where was the tail clipped on your body?

I'm really interesting in therianthropy and I LOVE reading peoples experiences!!!

Currently I identify as wolf/canine otherhearted and that's a constant for me but I have been wondering if I was a therian too, but I'm unsure. This is because whenever I am actually looking at an animal, in person or online, I identify as that animal. It happens with most or all animals whish is why I am wondering if I am omnitherian. What confuses me is that it only happens when I am looking at an animal. If I'm not omnitherian and just a polytherian I am still curious if this counts because I only identify as an animal when I am activly looking at and sometimes thinking about it. If anyone knows what lable I should use that would be great! I'm Neurodivergent so I like to have a label for these things 😅

as the title says, since ive discorvered that im a cat theriotype ive been feeling a strong desire to have a name for myself when expressing myself as a cat, but im so god awful at coming up with names i honestly cant think of any. i'g rlly like some help on it because i really feel like i need a name that is different from my birth one for my feline otherpaw self. also if it helps at all im a black cat but idk if it helps

I don’t think I’m a therian but I shared my story and someone recommended I talk about it here. Ever since I was a kid, for as long as I remember, I’ve “remembered” being a lion. Specifically a lioness. How it felt to move and hunt and how the sun felt through my fur down to my skin. It’s not something I can describe with words but I remember how I felt on the inside. Emotions but not like human ones. I’ve always, always felt it as vividly as a memory. More vivid than my own memories even. I can’t picture “being” any other animal in the same way. Only a lioness. I don’t know why. As a kid I would get so sad “missing” that “life”. I don’t think it’s a memory anymore but it’s still so intense that I do sometimes “miss” it. I know I’m human and I like being human, but it still makes me sad sometimes.

I mean something like what Black Lives Matter, Trans Rights are Human Rights, and Stop Asian Hate have done for its respective communities. Has anybody created a slogan to increase therian or alterhuman awareness and non discrimination? It can be in any language.

I'm asking this question because I identify with many different animals, and I'm finding myself to heavily relate to and identify with fictional characters from shows (for example, twilight sparkle from mlp: fim)

no, I didn't choose to identify with these animals and characters; it just... clicked..? not sure how to explain it, really.

I was wondering if there was any specific label to describe this.

Let’s say someone is a domestic cat but also a leopard, but depending on their mood, the way the feline self appears can change. At home it is small and domestic. In the wild it is large and predatory and muscular, taking up more space.
Or maybe someone is a beagle but during certain times this shows up as a gray wolf. Maybe they feel more beagle-like when playing or relaxed, but more wolf-like on edge?

I was hoping for a term that describes the vacillation between two similar types.

Thanks.

Now, my parents are pretty cool people. The only thing i’m worried about is that i’ve never seen them supporting stuff like queer+trans people, therianthropy, etc. They do support stuff like mask-making, dragon puppeteering, and i dress in an alternative/grunge style, which they find cool, but i don’t even think they know what therianthropy, otherpaws, etc even are.

im fairly sure that i am a therian, but im so used to repressing my inner thoughts that i honestly dont know. i dont fully know what being a therian means, and so i get a bit upset at myself for wanting to be one because i feel like im faking. i would rlly appreciate some help in understanding it :33

I'm a quadrobist. Or I used to be. It was the only exercise I liked and it kept me really fit and made me feel close to my theriotype. Then a year ago, I found out I have scoliosis. It's mild, about 10°, but I'm scared if I do quads it'll get worse and I'll have to wear a brace. I've been refraining from doing quads for almost a whole year now, and it really hurts because I feel like I've lost the way that I used to feel connected with my theriotype. I'm really upset because apparently scoliosis can worsen even after puberty when you stop growing, and I really don't know what to do. I've also gotten a lot less strong since I stopped quads. Scoliosis makes me want to cry sometimes :(

It wasn't until I was looking through my closet, and found an old cow onesie that I got when I was younger that I thought of this,

But they can be really affirming, and not overly expensive, They seem to range from about 25-50 dollars (US) depending on quality,

And they're more accessible for those with with unsupportive parents, as they're often used as pyjamas/Halloween costumes!!

Just thought I'd share, because I've never seen anyone mention it before, but I feel like they're a good option!!

Hello! I am a high schooler trying to write a short story about being a therian as a submission to a local writing magazine. However, I am not a therian and do not know anyone who identifies as one.

I've always been very curious about this community and would like to do as much research as possible, so that I can properly depict the experience. I would greatly appreciate any bit of advice or shared experience.

This is my idea for the story so far:

A 17 year old girl is living in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. She is a perfectionist and deeply insecure about being a therian, therefore she hides it from the majority of people in her life. One of the only people who knows is her on and off again boyfriend, Scott, who fetishizes her being a therian. It makes her feel uncomfortable in her safe space as she further struggles between wanting to be authentic to herself as a therian, and wanting to be respected and loved as a woman living in a small conservative town. I want the story to end with her cutting ties with Scott, as the beginning to her being more confident and secure in her identity. I'm thinking of including a scene where she is comforted by running her fingers through her arm hair like it is fur, but also contemplates shaving it, so that she can better fit into society's idea of womanhood.

The story will explore sexuality, social constructs, counterculture, insecurity, and spirituality.

I want the story to feel universal and relatable to anyone who struggles with their identity and gaining acceptance from those around them.

I've been reading articles, interviews, reddit posts and other forums doing my best to learn about otherkin. Some stuff I've seen repeated are likening being a therian to other countercultures or occults, such as being goth, pagan, or a witch. I've seen people equate it to something more spiritual, and an inner experience rather than a physical reality, while others say it is very much physical. Also, that it is purely self-expression. So, I'd like to know your perspective!

I'd greatly appreciate it if you could answer some of my questions, but please only reply to the ones you are comfortable answering:

• Do you struggle with your desire to be a therian, while also being respected as a woman/man/other in your friendships, relationships and society? How do you cope?
• What are your experience as a therian living in a small town, rural area and/or conservative community?
• What are some things you do to feel more like a therian?
• How have you learned to accept yourself? What are some of the greatest hurdles, and what helped you most?
• How did you discover and decide your theriotype?
• How do you navigate being a therian in your romantic relationships? Is your partner supportive?
• How does being a therian integrate into your sexuality? Are they seperate? Intertwined? Or something else entirely?

Thank you for reading my post! I'd greatly appreciate any feedback on my story and you answering my questions.

Hello, this is my first time communicating with the Therian community and I am a bit nervous. I apologize in advance if anything I said was out of ignorance. I don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just trying to figure out where I belong and discover the people I was meant to connect with.

I guess I should start by posting a little bit about myself and how I came to know that I was different from most other people...

I am currently in my 30s and I've always felt different. The past few days I slowly came to a realization, after reading a tragic article from South America. A young girl in Chile was bullied by their classmates for being a Therian and wearing a mask, paws, and tail to school. The article sickened me and it suddenly made me remember countless other stories about being harassed, bullied, and even physically attacked for coming out as a Therian!

This prompted some deep thinking and soul searching and I've come to the realization that I too might be an otherkin/therian!

I've known and been active (inconspicuously) in the furry fandom since I was in my teens and when I look back at all my interactions, they never fully satisfied me. Even though the fandom is advertised as being friendly and open... I never felt a deep spiritual connection to the people involved in it. To me, anthros were something more than just an interest/fetish/obsession, it was something deeply personal and spiritual. I felt that initial mysticism when I got into furry but then I realized that the fandom lacked the magic that drew me to anthros in the first place. It was more than just the fluffy aesthetic I was drawn to, it was Heavenly! It was a glimpse of a perfect world with perfect beings, tailored just for me!

Ever since I was young I've always acted out the behaviors and sounds of animals. I remember being a young boy and watching werewolf transformation scenes on the TV and how they sparked a primal urge in me. It was a mix of excitement, euphoria, and an intense longing that was painful to bear. Whenever I tried to play act a certain animal, like a tiger, I was scolded and shamed for it. I was told that it was weird and that boys don't behave like that. There is a vivid memory I hold onto from my past... me crying in my bedroom alone, begging for paws, an animal nose, and tail. It was a genuine request that came deep from my heart, I didn't feel comfortable in my body and still don't.

The obsession first started with werewolves because I loved seeing the slow transformation from human to animal, especially the liminal state where the person is transformed midway! I love the idea of being able to shift between my human self, anthro state, and fully feral body. I don't feel fully human but I also don't feel fully animal. It's the reason I was drawn to transformation art and furry in the first place. Werecreatures were just so powerful and mystical to me, especially the ones that had control over their transformational powers without turning violent, evil, or hurting people. I wanted to be the "Good Werewolf Boy" who was loveable & cute and didn't hurt anyone!

During my early years I was intensely drawn to canine qualities and aesthetics. I remember vividly repressing the urge to whimper, whine, bark, growl, yipe, and howl in order to not draw attention to myself. I also loved panting with my tongue out and imagining pouncing, nuzzling, and sniffing the ones I love. The strongest feeling of all was the phantom tail I've experienced since I was a boy. Sometimes while walking I would feel an intense pleasurable tickle on my tailbone and suddenly I would feel a fluffy tail shoot out behind me. Even though nobody could see this phantom tail of mine, it still caused me great embarrassment and I would hide away in desperation until the feeling passed... or at least forcefully will the tail to disappear. Whenever the tail would come out I would want to yip, pant, bark, and howl and run around on all fours while being very playful and affectionate with those around me. But of course, I was a bit of an outcast with very little friends, so it was an unfulfilled fantasy of mine... even today.

Over my lifetime I've experimented with many different species, but I think coyote/raccoon fits me the best due to the pull on my spirit. Coyote was the longest I've ever been due to my canine tendencies. I've even seen some coyotes in person running around at night in the city. Hearing their howls and cries stirs up a primal urge to run wild with them! I've also tried a Mouse as my fursona, which was a short phase that didn't fit well, but I respect it as a stepping stone to discovering my true self. Next was a Ground Squirrel due to the presence of them (along with tree squirrels) in my neighborhood. This was a 3-4 year experience with much artwork and squirrel watching. I had such a deep connection to these funny little creatures that I consider them to be my friends, but still... something didn't feel quite right.

Currently, I am experimenting with a brown raccoon due to a recommendation from my furry boyfriend. I'd say it's a nice fit! The raccoon is a misunderstood night creature who is both intelligent and mischievous and sometimes gets into trouble, which I feel represents my personality quite well! Plus, it the closest to having a canine shape, which I feel my spiritual animal-form has.

Other times I like to imagine growing large beautiful wings as my anthro self and flying to the local mountains and landing on the tops of them to look around the world around me. This is where the questions about which community I belong to start... is this Otherkin or Therian?

I've tried researching Otherkin's and reading some Reddit posts for their sub-reddit but I never felt a connection to the community. The reason I am drawn to Therians is because they are based more on Earthly animals and less of fantastical creatures, objects, plants, or elements like some Otherkin are drawn too. Throughout my whole life I've always been attracted to worldly creatures, which is why I feel pulled towards the Therian community. I even think the Theta-Delta symbol is very cool looking! But, I also have fantasy elements attached to my spiritual animal-form, such as being anthro and being able to shift between feral, half-human/half-animal, and fully anthro... along with the wings to fly with when the mood strikes me!

I do wish to learn more about Therians and Otherkin too, which is why I've purchased many books to read deeper into the subject, I want to respect this communities beliefs and also discover more about my own.

So I guess my final question is... is this the place for me, will I be welcomed here?

Thank you for everyone who took the time to read this very long post... it's the only way I know how to express something so deeply personal.

I wish you all nothing but love, peace, protection, and harmony!

I was really in touch with my therianthropy in 2023 but I think I've surpressed it.

I was fully aware I'm a Eurasian lynx (maybe additionally a wolf) therian but I think because of my mum not accepting therians, the fact I make comics and don't want anyone to be put off of my work because I'm therian, the fact I don't know any other therians irl and because of my overall loneliness I've surpressed it.

I want to be more in touch with it again because it's torturing me mentally. Does anyone have any advice?

I don't know how to word this correctly but in the same way I'm non-binary some days, and a guy other days, I also find myself only being therian sometimes, as if it's a part of the circle I switch between.

I'm not saying it's a gender by the way, more just wondering if anyone else experiences that, or has advice?

It's like that with my theriotypes as well, one day I might feel like a deer, another I might be a badger, and a lot of the time they kinda mesh together and I experience them all at once-

In short, I only feel connected to my theriotypes some days, and it's a very similar experience to me only feeling like a guy some days, and am looking for similar experiences?

I'm not a therian I just didn't know what other flair to put cuz it's all therians.

Anyways I do quads *sometimes* and I kinda know cat "vocals" cuz I grew up with cats all my life so car.

But I recently got into barking like a dog for fun/troll my cats/bark at chipmunks and stuff.

What am I? Besides a therian ally I don't think I'm an actual therian as I had past life experiences/visions but only correlated to another human human life. Thanks for any help?

I was at the mall earlier, minding my business, when I noticed three children (roughly 11 maybe) kinda-staring at me. (For the record I have a clip on tail on my handbag as well as a Theta-delta pin, so this wasn't really unusual.)

After a while it seemed these kids where following me around the store I was in, but again I wasn't really surprised, it happens. But after a while one of the kids comes up to me and says "Excuse me! I love your "therian tail"! We're therians too!" and we chatted for a bit, they were really nice.

Honestly it's just heartwarming to see other beings like me out there, being proud. This took place in a pretty rural town, where there's pretty much nobody who's "out of the ordinary", so meeting these kids was really nice :)

As said above I accidentally bumped one of my horns and it started hurting for a couple minutes. I wanted some tips on how others quell phantom senses for the next time it happens.

So. I bought a plushie of my species recently.

It was kind of just cute looking and I was super endeared to it, but when I got it some kind of lightswitch.. flipped in my brain.

I take this thing everywhere. I take it to my nest to sleep. I sometimes bring it when I go out with my friends. When I go shopping I put it in my rucksack like I'm carrying a real slugpup on my back again. I'm half considering buying more just to dote on. Apparently I really, really missed having pups around.

It does not go unnoticed to me that in my previous life I had children. I largely don't remember what they looked like, just milk-scent and the soft fur of my partner in our den together. This is fine and dandy, except for the tough part where I miss them and I miss having them in my life. Little ears still growing in their fuzz and big bright eyes, clinging to my back or running ahead to play in the seaspray or with whatever weird objects they could find.. stressful, definitely, but by that time we both knew enough about the world and had found enough community it could've gone a lot worse. I think a lot about them.

But I do not desire human children. This sort of melancholy about it does not extend to human children.

I guess I'm just curious if I'm alone in this. I do feel a little alone, it's not a topic that really comes up. I've thought about volunteering for shelters or such similar spaces because student dorms don't allow animal companions, but we'll see where that goes. It's possible I just miss having family and community in general; I am largely estranged from my human parents and I have little interest in humans outside the ones I already adore or intend to bond with. I'm curious on others' experiences.

EDIT: Photo is a CG from Rain World. : )

EDIT 2: So many responses! I am sorry I lack the energy to reply to every single one of you, but I really do appreciate it. Thank you all for connecting with me over something so personal.