On TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, there are teenagers who run on all fours, meow in front of the camera or explain with absolute seriousness that, although they have human bodies, they feel — on an internal level — like wolves, cats or even llamas.
Therians are people who identify, on a psychological or spiritual level, with a non-human animal. It is not about believing that the body is transformed or thinking that biologically one is another species. The experience, according to those who describe it, is internal, a deep affinity, a connection that is part of their identity.
The term comes from therianthropy, a word constructed from the ancient Greek therion (beast or wild animal) and anthropos (human). Historically, narratives about human-animal hybrids—such as lycanthropy—have existed for centuries in mythologies and legends. However, the therian identity as a contemporary community began to organise in the 1990s in internet forums, where people with similar experiences found a space to share them.
No, it’s not the same as being a furry
It’s worth pausing here because confusion is common: therian is not synonymous with furry. Furry fandom is a subculture centred on a taste for anthropomorphic animal characters — that is, with human traits — and is usually expressed through art, avatar design and cosplay. Having an animal alter ego within the fandom does not imply believing that one is that animal, just as a cosplayer does not think they are actually their character.
Instead, those who identify as therian describe that animal connection as part of their inner personal identity, not necessarily linked to an artistic or recreational practice. Some wear masks or tails to feel more connected to their experience; others do not. Not all are part of cosplay communities.
Why now? Networks, adolescence and belonging
According to various media reports in recent weeks, amid curiosity, satire and easy memes, the issue has jumped from the For You Page to a broader conversation about youth, identity and belonging. Psychology experts consulted by various media outlets agree on one key point: this is not a disorder in itself. From an evolutionary psychology perspective, they point out that adolescence is the official laboratory of identity, a stage of trial and error in which differentiating oneself from one’s parents, experimenting and embracing new symbols is part of the natural process of growing up.
In this context, identifying as a “therian” can fulfil very recognisable psychological functions, such as the search for identity, the need to belong to a group and emotional validation. As has happened in other generations with certain urban tribes or cultural groups, these communities can offer spaces where people feel understood and supported, even when the rest of the world does not yet fully understand the aesthetic.
Specialists insist that what is truly relevant is not the label but the whole. Beyond the mask or the tail, the important thing is to understand what emotional or symbolic need this identification is fulfilling and to observe whether or not it affects other areas of the adolescent’s life. Because, in the end, behind the viral phenomenon there is something deeply human: the desire to find a place of one’s own.
Between exploration and concern
The phenomenon is not without controversy. In several South American countries, such as Argentina, local media have reported on the existence of organised communities that hold meetups and present themselves as safe spaces for those who identify as “therians”. The Argentine Therian Community insists that they are not talking about a hobby or a simple costume, but about a central dimension of personal identity.
At the same time, warnings have also been issued. Nurse and content creator Jorge Ángel has pointed out on social media that if this identification is maintained constantly and begins to interfere with other areas of life, it could lead to identity conflicts or psychological difficulties. He also mentions cases in which some people have had incidents when interacting with real animals, for example when a dog is frightened by certain behaviours and reacts by biting.
Once again, nuance is key. According to experts quoted in various media outlets, the issue is not the label itself, but the real impact on daily life, relationships, emotional well-being and coexistence.
Amid memes, masks and heated debates, therianism has become one of the most talked-about phenomena of 2026. And perhaps the most interesting thing is not deciding whether someone feels like a wolf or a cat, but observing what all this says about the way new generations explore who they are and where they find a sense of belonging in the digital age.
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