Therianthropy, sometimes called therianism, is a usually non-physical identitification, either for pschological (nuerodivergence, trauma, or otherwise) or spiritual reasons as a non-human animal, oftentimes a mammal.

Therians often experience species dysphoria¹ and mental shifts². They often find themselves having the urge to engage in animalistic behavior such as mimicking the sounds of the animal they identify with.

The animal or animals a therian identifies with are referred to as their theriotype. Some people have multiple theriotypes.

Some therians will wear gear³ or practice quadrobics⁴ to help cope with species dysphoria¹. Some therians will experience something called a shift, in which their mindset shifts to that of an animal. They may also experience phantom limbs of ears or a tail or even see paws instead of hands.

1. Species dysphoria, similar to gender dysphoria, is when one experiences major or minor discomfort with their body, voice, or experiences due to them not matching with their inner self, in this case an animal.

2. Some therians will experience something called a shift, in which their mindset shifts to that of an animal. They may also experience phantom limbs of ears or a tail or even see paws in place of their hands.

3. Gear refers to the clothing or other items, such as tails, ears, wings, or paw-like gloves one may wear to be closer to their theriotype.

4. Quadrobics is the name of a sport in which one runs on hands and feet, much like an animal. While very much associated with therians for it allowing quadrapedal therians to be closer to their theriotype, anyoone can practice quadrobics.