You've probably seen them at a convention or maybe just scrolled past a piece of digital art on Twitter and wondered what exactly is going on. They're often called furries. But that’s a broad, sticky label that doesn't always fit the vibe of every person in the community. Honestly, finding another word for furries depends entirely on whether you’re talking about the art, the people, or the weirdly specific history of the subculture.
Language matters here. Words like "anthro" or "funny animal" have been around since the Golden Age of animation, long before the internet made things complicated.
The Scientific-ish Root: Anthropomorphics
If you want to sound a bit more technical or academic, the most common another word for furries is "anthropomorphics." It’s a mouthful. Most people just shorten it to "anthro." This term refers to any non-human animal that has been given human traits—walking on two legs, wearing a hoodie, or dealing with a mid-life crisis.
It’s not just a fandom thing. Think about Mickey Mouse. Think about Bugs Bunny. They are anthropomorphic characters. In the early 1980s, before "furry" became the dominant term, people often referred to the burgeoning scene as "anthro art" or "anthropomorphics."
At conventions like Anthrocon (the name gives it away), the term serves as a professional umbrella. It bridges the gap between a kid who likes The Lion King and a professional character designer working for a major studio. Using "anthro" often strips away some of the internet stigma that the word "furry" carries. It feels cleaner. More about the craft.
Lifestylers and Otherkin: When the Label Shifts
Sometimes, the word "furry" feels too shallow for people who feel a deeper, perhaps spiritual, connection to animals. This is where things get a bit nuanced. You might hear the term "therian" or "otherkin."
Now, wait. They aren't exactly the same thing.
✨ Don't miss: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
A furry is generally someone who likes the aesthetic or the community. A therian, on the other hand, is someone who identifies as a non-human animal on a personal, internal level. While there is a massive overlap—many therians are furries—they are distinct groups with different goals. For a therian, the animal isn't just a costume or a "fursona." It’s part of their identity.
Then there are "lifestylers." This is a bit of an older term from the 90s and early 2000s. It describes people who take the furry philosophy into their daily lives. They aren't just fans on the weekend. They’re living it. They might use animal-themed metaphors in their speech or decorate their entire homes to reflect their fox or wolf persona. It’s a commitment.
Funny Animals and the Underground Comix Connection
Go back to the 70s. Long before high-speed internet.
The term used back then was often "funny animals." This came straight out of the comic book industry. Artists like Robert Crumb or the creators of Omaha the Cat Dancer were pushing the boundaries of what animal characters could do. These weren't just for kids. They were gritty, political, and often adult-oriented.
If you’re talking to a historian of the medium, "funny animal fandom" is arguably the most accurate another word for furries in a prehistoric sense. It connects the modern fursuiters to the long tradition of animal fables and satirical cartoons.
- Funny Animal Fans: The OGs of the 1970s and 80s.
- Zoomorphs: A more biological-sounding term used in some sci-fi circles.
- Critters: A term often used internally within the community to refer to characters or members in a friendly, casual way.
Furry vs. Furry-Adjacent: Where do we draw the line?
We’ve got to talk about "humanoids." In gaming and fantasy writing, characters that are basically humans with animal ears are often called "kemonomimi" in Japanese culture (think cat-girls). In the West, we might call them "beastfolk" or "demi-humans."
🔗 Read more: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
Are they furries? Ask ten different people and you’ll get twelve different answers.
Some "purists" in the furry fandom think you need a snout and fur all over to count. Others are more "big tent" about it. If it’s got paws and talks, it’s a furry. But if you’re looking for a term to use in a Dungeons & Dragons manual, "Tabaxi" or "Leonin" works better. Those are specific racial categories that describe what a furry is in a mechanical, gaming context.
The Taxonomy of "Furs"
Within the community, the language gets even more granular. You’ll hear people call themselves "furs" as a shorthand. But then you get the specific branches:
- Scalies: People who prefer reptiles, dragons, or dinosaurs. They don't have fur, so "furry" feels technically incorrect to them.
- Avians: The bird lovers. Feathers, not fur.
- Feral: This refers to characters that look like four-legged animals but have human intelligence. Think The Lion King or Warrior Cats.
It’s a linguistic maze. Honestly, most people just default to "furry" because it’s the most recognizable. But if you're writing a book or designing a game, calling your characters "anthropomorphic beings" or "sentient beasts" gives it a much different flavor. It moves it from "internet subculture" to "high-concept fantasy."
Why bother with another word?
Stigma is a big reason. Let’s be real. The media hasn’t always been kind to the furry community. Shows like CSI or various talk shows in the early 2000s painted a very specific, often sexualized or "weird" picture of the fandom.
Because of that, some artists prefer to call themselves "creature designers" or "animal illustrators." It’s a way to protect their professional reputation while still doing the work they love. They’re doing the same thing—drawing bipedal wolves—but the label changes how the world perceives them.
💡 You might also like: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Steps for Navigating the Terminology
If you’re trying to use the right language for a project or a conversation, here is how you should actually approach it.
Identify the Context First
Are you in a professional art setting? Use "Anthropomorphic Illustration" or "Character Design." It sounds better on a resume. Are you writing a fantasy novel? Use "Beastfolk" or "Therianthropes" (the mythological term for shapeshifters).
Respect Personal Labels
If someone calls themselves a "furry," use that. If they say they are a "scalie," don't call them a furry. It’s like calling a Texan a New Yorker. They’re both American, sure, but the regional pride is real.
Understand the "Fandom" vs. the "Art"
A "furry" is a member of a subculture. "Anthropomorphism" is a literary and artistic device. You can use anthropomorphism without being a furry. You can be a furry who doesn't even draw. Keep those two concepts separate in your mind to avoid confusing people.
Check the History
If you want to sound like a real expert, look up the "Prancing Skiltaire" or the early APA (Amateur Press Association) zines from the late 70s. Seeing how they transitioned from "science fiction fans who like animals" to a distinct "furry fandom" explains why we have so many different words for the same thing today.
Language is fluid. It changes. What we call a "furry" today might have a completely different name in twenty years. But for now, whether you go with "anthro," "funny animal," or "beastfolk," you’re tapping into a human tradition of telling stories through the eyes of animals that goes all the way back to Aesop.
Refine your search parameters
If you are looking for art and want to avoid the "fandom" side of things, try searching for "creature concept art" or "zoomorphic design." You will find a completely different set of results that focus more on anatomy and realism than the stylized, colorful "toon" looks common in the main fandom.
Engage with the community directly
The best way to learn the current slang is to hang out in spaces like Bluesky or specific Discord servers. Terms like "sona" (short for fursona) or "suit" (for fursuit) are universal, but newer terms pop up every year. Stay curious and don't assume one word covers everybody.