ive seen people ask why therians always identify as "cool" animals. (well known mammals)
they have aspects that are easy to relate to, therefore making them easy to identify as.
especially mammals are capable of cognitive function to the point of observable differences in things like personality and ability to have opinions on things such as what is and isnt pleasing on an individual level.
theyre anthropomorphizable.
im sure theres tons of past lives as ants. how relatable is an ant on a deeper level of identity? wolves are highly social and intelligent animals with plenty of characteristics that are applicable to humans. ants are about as social as a set of cog wheels, sure they work together but they dont have much going on upstairs.
you need to be able to hold a sense of identity with the things you identify with. shocker.