The Rise of Therians: When Humans Identify as Animals

A growing online community is challenging traditional understandings of identity as individuals identify as non-human animals. Fueled by TikTok and internet forums, the “therian” phenomenon is gaining visibility, sparking debate and raising questions about identity, mental health, and the impact of online communities.

A History Rooted in the Internet

The concept of identifying as an animal isn’t new. The term ‘therian,’ derived from ‘therianthrope’ (Greek for half-human, half-animal), began circulating in the 1990s on internet forums like alt.horror.werewolves. Initially, these spaces were for discussing fiction, but they evolved into meeting points for those experiencing a deep connection with animal species. Before social media, individuals found community through mailing lists and early websites.

Early identifiers often used the term ‘otherkin,’ an umbrella term for those identifying as non-human beings – including dragons, elves, and angels – with a distinct subgroup identifying specifically with real animals like wolves, foxes, and birds.

TikTok and the Mainstream

For decades, therians existed in online niches, largely invisible to the public. This changed with the rise of TikTok, where videos showcasing “shifts” – movements mimicking animal locomotion – and “quadrobics” began to gain traction. The hashtag #therian now has 1.5 million posts on TikTok.

This visibility has been a double-edged sword. While it allowed individuals to find community and language for their experiences, the short-form video format often reduces complex identities to aesthetics.

Understanding Therian Identity

Therians believe their non-human identity is fundamental to who they are, not a fantasy or hobby. There’s no single doctrine; interpretations range from spiritual beliefs like reincarnation or an animal soul to purely psychological explanations. What unites them is the conviction that their “inner phenotype” doesn’t align with their biological species.

The community has developed its own vocabulary, including “kintype” (the animal identified with) and “awakening” (the moment of realization).

Therians vs. Furries: A Key Distinction

Therians are often confused with furries, but the difference is significant. Furries are interested in anthropomorphic animal characters, often fictional, and participate in a creative subculture involving costumes and conventions. Their interest doesn’t necessarily imply identification.

Therians, however, assert that their identification is not a choice or a hobby, but an intrinsic part of their being. Research supports this distinction, showing that therians score higher on scales measuring identification with their animal species compared to furries (6.6 vs. 5.6). A significantly higher proportion of therians (85%) report feeling less than 100% human, compared to furries (33%).

Mental Health Considerations

The psychological community doesn’t have a consensus on how to address therian identity. It’s not recognized as a disorder in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, and some argue it shouldn’t be pathologized if it doesn’t interfere with daily life.

However, preliminary studies suggest a correlation between “otherkin” identity and patterns of dissociation, autism spectrum disorders, social anxiety, or depression. The interpretation of this correlation is debated, with questions about whether therian identity is a way of processing existing experiences or if it can exacerbate social difficulties.

Concerns exist regarding the influence of online communities, where adolescents constructing their identities may encounter reinforcing narratives without critical evaluation. This is a broader issue affecting minority identities online.

Growing Trend, Especially in Argentina

The therian trend is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in Argentina, where young people are gathering in public spaces to express their identities through dress and behavior.