I have quite a bit to say about this topic, but it's going to take me a while to gather notes and put something together. In the mean time, I encourage others to discuss their thoughts on this freely, but to recognize that the word-use and meanings OP (and their evidence) is using are being misrepresented in my view.

(2025-02-07 7:07)owlsgardfan96 Wrote:  I understand, it's kind of hard to "get" for most. It's not quite a contradiction, although contradictory identities should still be respected ("do what you want forever"), but I don't know how to explain it better than I already have, I apologize.

I'm now going to paraphrase something I saw on this topic by another user elsewhere, to hopefully explain a little bit better -- On most websites, therians have switched to specifying nonphysicality to avoid backlash from assumptions made about us all being delusional, but physical identities are not delusional by nature. The usual distinction made from other "origins" of nonhumanity is that holotheres view themselves wholly as one or more of their theriotypes. I for example view myself completely as a caiman, though I am not of the delusion that I am biologically one. I like to compare it to being transgender instead, which I am as well. I am biologically female, and I do not deny that fact, but I view myself and identify entirely as a man. It's not too different because in many ways, species is socially constructed. Obviously not on the biological level, but instead how we socially distinguish ourselves from other animals. Cats often view us as their kittens, and other animals can often see other scientific species of animals as the same species as them.

It all comes down to personal perception, even in the animal world, and I, along with many other holotheres, perceive myself as nonhuman. -- Some therians identify physically and socially as human, others identify socially as animals yet physically human, and of course, obviously we are all biologically human. Holotheres, however, identify physically (a.k.a entirely, with the exception of the biological level) as their 'type, while many therians will not. It's not a matter of changing one's species or doing things known to be impossible, it just comes down to a distinction between the meaning of scientific terms physical and biological, and how one sees themself. There may still be a stigma around therians who call themselves physical therians, or more recently, holotheres, which is unfortunate and likely caused by misunderstanding. I suggest you to look into P.A.I (Physical Alterhuman Identities) which may point towards a better knowledge of these types of identities.

By the way, and just so you know, it actually doesn't bother me that most will not understand newer terminologies such as holothere. I'm just using what I feel good using, that's all, and I can tell that you know that. Also, I know you weren't trying to be rude or invalidate me, that's not what I thought at all, I love explaining my identity to others ^^ Thank you for attempting to understand! As a side note, I like forums, and I just wanted to join one more, I don't mind that the culture here may not be what I'm used to. However, I was on Chicken Smoothie for a few good years, and they seemed a lot similar to here, so it may not be as drastic a change than what I usually frequent. I am grateful the community here does seem welcoming though, being a newbie and all.

"I for example view myself completely as a caiman, though I am not of the delusion that I am biologically one." This resonates a lot with my view of myself... I won't call myself a holothere or physical therian, but I do see myself as fully a cat. Except my obviously human body others can see but that's self explanatory I guess. I still don't like the terms, but like I said, use that what makes you feel comfortable.

Also yeah, the critters here are very nice and welcoming to new ones. I really like it here, and I hope you will too :3

(2025-02-06 13:50)House of Psychos Wrote:  It has been watered down on most social media, I agree (while I barely have social media I've seen bits of it and there's a reason I don't go to this spaces). Whereas here it has kept it's original meaning and those recently created terms used on tiktok and tumblr aren't always seen as more serious on TG. Especially cause it seems like people on those platforms create terms excessively all the time for the most banal things. That's how I see it, I don't speak for other members. Also I'm not trying to be rude or invalidate you, just question you as this is how we tend to do it here.

I mean, it's your identity, so do what makes you comfortable. But "holothere" is pretty unknown, so people may not understand at first what you mean with that. Also, you can tag people additionally (not Dusty, he doesn't like that usually). That would solve your problem. Or copypaste the other quotes in the answer field.

I read the thread that was linked and they just describe therianthropy. Wanting to be your theriotype physically is usually part of being a therian, as well as seeing yourself as the animal you literally are. Therianthropy is a non-physical identity because you literally cannot change your species, even if you tried. IMO those people are just confused.

Also from what you wrote I understand that "holothere" and "physical therian" apparently mean the same (see, one replaced the other). So you know you're not physically an animal but still think you are if I understand it correctly... how does that work? May have explained it badly but to me the whole thing seems like a contradiction.

I understand, it's kind of hard to "get" for most. It's not quite a contradiction, although contradictory identities should still be respected ("do what you want forever"), but I don't know how to explain it better than I already have, I apologize.

I'm now going to paraphrase something I saw on this topic by another user elsewhere, to hopefully explain a little bit better -- On most websites, therians have switched to specifying nonphysicality to avoid backlash from assumptions made about us all being delusional, but physical identities are not delusional by nature. The usual distinction made from other "origins" of nonhumanity is that holotheres view themselves wholly as one or more of their theriotypes. I for example view myself completely as a caiman, though I am not of the delusion that I am biologically one. I like to compare it to being transgender instead, which I am as well. I am biologically female, and I do not deny that fact, but I view myself and identify entirely as a man. It's not too different because in many ways, species is socially constructed. Obviously not on the biological level, but instead how we socially distinguish ourselves from other animals. Cats often view us as their kittens, and other animals can often see other scientific species of animals as the same species as them.

It all comes down to personal perception, even in the animal world, and I, along with many other holotheres, perceive myself as nonhuman. -- Some therians identify physically and socially as human, others identify socially as animals yet physically human, and of course, obviously we are all biologically human. Holotheres, however, identify physically (a.k.a entirely, with the exception of the biological level) as their 'type, while many therians will not. It's not a matter of changing one's species or doing things known to be impossible, it just comes down to a distinction between the meaning of scientific terms physical and biological, and how one sees themself. There may still be a stigma around therians who call themselves physical therians, or more recently, holotheres, which is unfortunate and likely caused by misunderstanding. I suggest you to look into P.A.I (Physical Alterhuman Identities) which may point towards a better knowledge of these types of identities.

By the way, and just so you know, it actually doesn't bother me that most will not understand newer terminologies such as holothere. I'm just using what I feel good using, that's all, and I can tell that you know that. Also, I know you weren't trying to be rude or invalidate me, that's not what I thought at all, I love explaining my identity to others ^^ Thank you for attempting to understand! As a side note, I like forums, and I just wanted to join one more, I don't mind that the culture here may not be what I'm used to. However, I was on Chicken Smoothie for a few good years, and they seemed a lot similar to here, so it may not be as drastic a change than what I usually frequent. I am grateful the community here does seem welcoming though, being a newbie and all.

(2025-02-06 9:06)owlsgardfan96 Wrote:  Yes, I do agree, though using it makes me feel more comfortable than therian itself, as I've seen therianthropy watered down a lot recently, and to me, it's more serious than I see how most are using the word therian nowadays. But that's just my opinion. It's a little similar to transspecies in that regard, wanting to be / identifying as your theriotype physically, and so I identify as such, a holothere (which was created as a useful alternate term to replace how some are saying "physical therian" which doesn't make sense as therianthropy is inherently nonphysical), even though I know I am biologically human. Again, biological and physical in this context mean different yet slightly similar things, so I can see where the confusion stems from. It has nothing to do with p-shifting, which everyone should know is impossible. Refer back to "I am a dog, and my body is mine, so my body is a dog's body, albeit it doesn't look so." Can I put links/URL here? If so, this thread on Reddit is basically what I'm trying to say, summed up. If you have any other questions let me know. ^^

It has been watered down on most social media, I agree (while I barely have social media I've seen bits of it and there's a reason I don't go to this spaces). Whereas here it has kept it's original meaning and those recently created terms used on tiktok and tumblr aren't always seen as more serious on TG. Especially cause it seems like people on those platforms create terms excessively all the time for the most banal things. That's how I see it, I don't speak for other members. Also I'm not trying to be rude or invalidate you, just question you as this is how we tend to do it here.

I mean, it's your identity, so do what makes you comfortable. But "holothere" is pretty unknown, so people may not understand at first what you mean with that. Also, you can tag people additionally (not Dusty, he doesn't like that usually). That would solve your problem. Or copypaste the other quotes in the answer field.

I read the thread that was linked and they just describe therianthropy. Wanting to be your theriotype physically is usually part of being a therian, as well as seeing yourself as the animal you literally are. Therianthropy is a non-physical identity because you literally cannot change your species, even if you tried. IMO those people are just confused.

Also from what you wrote I understand that "holothere" and "physical therian" apparently mean the same (see, one replaced the other). So you know you're not physically an animal but still think you are if I understand it correctly... how does that work? May have explained it badly but to me the whole thing seems like a contradiction.

(2025-02-06 8:21)House of Psychos Wrote:  I also am entirely a cat, see myself as one 100% of the time and don't identify with humans in any way, although I'm fully aware my body is human and others perceive me as human and I cannot change that. But this is a normal therian experience. Everyone who's an actual therian should at least be confortable seeing yourself as your theriotype, cause that is literally what therianthropy is: identifying as an animal. On a non-physical level, because physically we all are human, if we like it or not. IMO this term doesn't make sense, mainly cause it's a new tumblr-term, also cause it just says what the word therian already does.

Yes, I do agree, though using it makes me feel more comfortable than therian itself, as I've seen therianthropy watered down a lot recently, and to me, it's more serious than I see how most are using the word therian nowadays. But that's just my opinion. It's a little similar to transspecies in that regard, wanting to be / identifying as your theriotype physically, and so I identify as such, a holothere (which was created as a useful alternate term to replace how some are saying "physical therian" which doesn't make sense as therianthropy is inherently nonphysical), even though I know I am biologically human. Again, biological and physical in this context mean different yet slightly similar things, so I can see where the confusion stems from. It has nothing to do with p-shifting, which everyone should know is impossible. Refer back to "I am a dog, and my body is mine, so my body is a dog's body, albeit it doesn't look so." Can I put links/URL here? If so, this thread on Reddit is basically what I'm trying to say, summed up. If you have any other questions let me know. ^^

(2025-02-06 6:40)owlsgardfan96 Wrote:  Hello!

Apparently I can’t respond to you guys all in one message, or at least quote you all, but know I am trying to hit many down with this one message, I would like to reduce my own spam if possible :p


A holothere is someone who identifies physically as an animal, they do not believe they are biologically an animal (unless they have clinical zoanthropy) but that’s the gist of it. Personally I do not think I am biologically an animal as I do not have any delusional disorder or anything that would cause me to believe this, but I do identify physically as my theriotype (Biological and physical are not technically the same thing).

One explanation I’ve heard for it is, for example, “I identify as a dog, and my body is mine, so therefore this body is a dog’s body, even though I may not look like a dog, I am still entirely dog.” This is my personal explanation as well.

Holothere means “entirely animal” meaning one does not identify as human in any way. There’s a good few websites with more information on this. It can be equated to transgender, while obviously not the same thing, it’s compared as so: “A transgender individual is 100% their internally perceived gender(s). They may be biologically their AGAB, but they are still 100% the gender(s) they identify as.”

Hope this explanation works for y’all!

I also am entirely a cat, see myself as one 100% of the time and don't identify with humans in any way, although I'm fully aware my body is human and others perceive me as human and I cannot change that. But this is a normal therian experience. Everyone who's an actual therian should at least be confortable seeing yourself as your theriotype, cause that is literally what therianthropy is: identifying as an animal. On a non-physical level, because physically we all are human, if we like it or not. IMO this term doesn't make sense, mainly cause it's a new tumblr-term, also cause it just says what the word therian already does.

(2025-02-05 14:37)House of Psychos Wrote:  Hello and welcome on TG! I'm Psycho, a cat.

What is a holothere?

Hello!

Apparently I can’t respond to you guys all in one message, or at least quote you all, but know I am trying to hit many down with this one message, I would like to reduce my own spam if possible :p


A holothere is someone who identifies physically as an animal, they do not believe they are biologically an animal (unless they have clinical zoanthropy) but that’s the gist of it. Personally I do not think I am biologically an animal as I do not have any delusional disorder or anything that would cause me to believe this, but I do identify physically as my theriotype (Biological and physical are not technically the same thing).

One explanation I’ve heard for it is, for example, “I identify as a dog, and my body is mine, so therefore this body is a dog’s body, even though I may not look like a dog, I am still entirely dog.” This is my personal explanation as well.

Holothere means “entirely animal” meaning one does not identify as human in any way. There’s a good few websites with more information on this. It can be equated to transgender, while obviously not the same thing, it’s compared as so: “A transgender individual is 100% their internally perceived gender(s). They may be biologically their AGAB, but they are still 100% the gender(s) they identify as.”

Hope this explanation works for y’all!

This is a great theory. Of course, a theory is a theory and there isn’t a true reason why there are so many canines/felines, but there’s no harm in there being so many of them either. It does propose an interesting point though. What matters most is we experience non-human instincts, and we band together as a community as such. Thanks for the post

im not entirely sure how to explain my therianthropy because im still new to the community and granted, im also still learning things about myself. i kinda just see it as something ive experienced for while but didn't really think about until a couple years later. i think i've always had non-human tendencies when i was younger, i never really related with people as much and i've always wanted to be around animals more and even wished to be one. obviously i would do typical kid things like pretend to be an animal when i was playing with my friends but i never really stopped outside of that. i was especially more vocal as a kid and would often hiss or meow but im not very vocal as i was when i was a kid, im even hesitant to practice vocalizing because im afraid its something people will be weirded out by.

i would often be teased because of this and overall i was just a really weird kid so it was pretty common for my own "friends" i considered at the time to treat me like a personal pet or something. as i got older these feelings didn't really go away and it actually made me question my identity. on the bright side, im not as ashamed about it anymore its something that im still trying to come to terms with.

This is very interesting, and I think a pretty solid theory for some. Part of it fits my situation, but for the most part, this doesn't explain my experience as a therian overall. I also was fixated on animals at a very young age, long before I can remember, but this is where I diverge. While my parents have footage of me as a tiny, tiny pup imitating animals and I did continue to imitate them, for me it went beyond just pretend. I felt like an animal right off the bat, and I'm not neurodivergent or transgender, just asexual which doesn't cause dysphoria or disconnection. I never disassociated from myself until after I had pushed my therianthropy away.

I personally believe there are multiple things that cause therianthropy depending on the person and their situation.