Therians: This the viral trend of young people who identify as animals in Spain and Argentina
Here we explain what ‘therians’ are, and why they have been making headlines on social media in recent weeks.
The word “therians” has exploded across social media in recent days, as videos and photos about this unusual lifestyle have sparked intense curiosity—and plenty of debate.
If you’ve seen the term on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube and wondered what it means, here’s a clear breakdown of who therians are and why they’ve suddenly become a trending topic.
What does “Therian” mean?
The term comes from therianthropy, a word rooted in the Greek therion (beast) and anthropos (human). It began gaining traction in the 1990s.
A therian is someone who identifies—symbolically, spiritually, or psychologically—with a specific animal. They feel that their true identity isn’t fully human, even though they live in a human body. Because of that connection, many adopt behaviors associated with the animal they identify with.
On social media, some therians share how they balance both sides of their identity. At times, they live out their “animal self,” even dressing or moving like the creature they feel connected to. In other moments, they function fully in their human role.
Here are a few examples circulating online:
Are there Therians in Mexico?
Yes—over the past few days, a growing therian community in Mexico has begun speaking up online. People who identify this way have formed support groups where they share experiences, stories, and aspects of their lifestyle.
One of the first viral clips shows a person identifying as a crocodile in Tampico, Tamaulipas. The video has been widely shared across platforms.
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