Therian
Encyclopedia
Therian in the English language has two distinct definitions:
- In taxonomyTaxonomyTaxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
, the term refers to a member of the Mammalia subclass TheriaTheriaTheria is a subclass of mammals that give birth to live young without using a shelled egg, including both eutherians and metatherians . The only omitted extant mammal group is the egg-laying monotremes....
, consisting of marsupial and placental mammals. - A therian may also be a member of the contemporary subculture of therianthropyTherianthropyTherianthropy refers to the metamorphosis of humans into other animals. Therianthropes are said to change forms via shapeshifting. Therianthropes have long existed in mythology, appearing in ancient cave drawings such as the Sorcerer at Les Trois Frères....
, which is based on a spiritual and/or psychological identification with animals.