If therianthropy was based on behaviors, instincts, and desires, I'd be a domestic cat. I hiss and growl, I love naps, I'm picky about food, and I tend to keep to myself.
But I'm not a cat, because that's not how therianthropy works. Therianthropy is an identity, not a set of behaviors and whatnot. If you identify as an animal, you are that animal. You don't need to act or feel like one to identify as one. They don't need to be your favorite animal, either. You don't even have to like that animal -- just identify as it. I adore cats, have two of my own, but I am not a cat.
"But I have all these animal instincts!"
OF COURSE YOU DO. You have a human brain. Humans are animals. Primates. Big monkey. You will therefore have "nonhuman" instincts, because those instincts aren't nonhuman at all; they're completely natural. Humans are naturally driven to collect (foraging), crave certain foods, and like certain activities, many of which of course overlap with the wants and needs of other animals. You having urges to chase prey or take a dip in a stream are natural things that don't necessarily indicate who you are.
Of course, it's absolutely okay to want to attribute certain instincts, feelings, behaviors, etc into your therianthropy. There's nothing wrong with that. But it's not a criteria for being a therian, nor does it dictate your identity.
It's critical that younger and/or newer therians understand this. I see so many "what's my theriotype?" posts like "I like swimming and I enjoy seafood so I must be a shark." Do you feel like a shark? Do you look at sharks and have that "looking in the mirror" feeling? If so, you probably are. If not, forcing the label on yourself because "it must be" is pointless and isn't going to do you any good.
Remember: Identity, not behavior. "I am", not "I do".
