*No one can tell you whether or not you are who you are, and no one can determine your identity for you. However, I’ll try to provide some insight as to what being a deer therian would be like, and whether or not you can relate.
There are many deer therians, I’ve come across many more on Tumblr than any other forum/website. Just as there are many wolf therians, many end up renouncing their wolf therian identity because of mistaking their theriotype or what being a therian means.
Commonly Misinterpreted “Signs”:
1. Innocence- Many people are attracted to deer because of the fawn’s symbolism of innocence. In reality, deer are animals like all others and don’t really know what innocence is. Hey, they’re animals just like the rest of us: You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to survive!
2. Nobility- Sure, stags (or bulls) are noble-looking. But being a deer is much more than holding your head of antlers high while watching over a herd. Many “noble” postures of deer serve more of a safety purpose than anything typically considered noble. This same logic applies to the concept of deer as being graceful as well.
3. Stuck in the Rut- The rut is, while a significant time for deer, a short part of their year. Deer have much more to them than just the clashing of their antlers. If this aggression is the only thing you can relate to with deer, you may not be a deer therian.
4. The altruism fallacy- Deer, like other animals, do what is necessary for survival and are a very adaptable species (typically). Deer may be herbivorous, but most species will not pass up a good source of protein, be it meat or plant. This, again, is a survival mechanism and has nothing to do with hatred of plants or other animals, or love of any other species. You can be all for animal rights and whatnot, but that probably has nothing to do with feeling like a deer…
5. Falsely Feeble- If there’s one thing that cervids collectively can teach us, it’s that they’re a tough species: From moose fending off bears and wolves, to reindeer at harshly cold, high altitudes, to white tails that have shown they’re not going to be driven away by human activity. And let’s not forget the tusks and antlers that are used as weapons of the rut! (And self defense, if need be)
But enough with the negative. What are some signs that you might be a deer therian? There are, if I remember correctly, 45 species of deer, so these answers are more general than specific, but feel free to message or send an ask if you need more information.
1. Move!- Deer are athletic, and constantly (well, not always) on the move to get more energy. Reindeer/caribou can run up to 50mph to evade danger and migrate, white tails can jump up to 15 feet high, and moose require a lot of body to defend themselves from wolves and bears. To put it simply, deer are athletic.
2. Forage- Deer are primarily browsers and grazers, looking for wild plants to eat. Wild edibles have always appealed to me, which I feel has to do with being a rewilder human and a deer therian as well. Deer, some species anyway, make sure to find the perfect spot to rest and chew their cud.
3. Splash!- Most, if not all, deer species are great swimmers and can enjoy a nice swim every now and then. Particularly moose, who can stay submerged for up to 30 seconds and can dive as well. Many people consider them semi-aquatic. If you’re a questioning deer therian and find yourself shifting (not physically, obviously) in or near water, don’t worry, that actually does make sense. Haha
5. Alert- Deer are obviously going to be an alert and sensitive species, concerned with what’s going on around them. This may play a part in your therianthropic experiences, but, like the majority of experiences, can be normal human experiences and desires as well.
Not all therians have the same reasoning or theory behind their therianthropy and may identify as a therian for various and individual reasons. This is just meant to provide some sort of outline, shower vague it may be.
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