Furries

I.) General overview
II.) Relevant definitions

I.) General overview

A "furry" is defined as an individual who has an interest in fictional animals with anthropomorphic animal characters. 

The name "furry" comes from the fandom itself. Many buy fursuits and create a fursona (furry-persona) they gather in conventions which are often attended by thousands of people. It is not fair to say that every member of the furry fandom owns a fursuit or attends conventions regularly.



(Furries are seen here wearing fursuits.) 

Homosexuality and bi-sexuality is very common in the furry fandom:

Less than 4% of Americans identify as gay, lesbian or bi-sexual and yet among "furries" 25.5% identify as gay and 37.3% were bisexual. (University of California Study, 2007) (In other words there are about 15 times the amount of bisexuals and gays among furries than the American population in general.)

Over 80% of furries are male and the vast majority are Millennials (born after 1981). (International Online Furry Survey, 2011)

A minority of furries say that they feel like they are "their species" trapped in a human body.
(International Online Furry Survey, 2011)

Most furry's have "hybrids", wolves, fox, dog, "big cat" or dragon as their "fursonas". (International Online Furry Survey, 2011)

Less than 5% of Westerners identify as being a furry. 


II.) Relevant definitions 

Anthropomorphic: Having human characteristics (such as walking on two legs.) 

Furry: An individual who has an interest in fictional animals with anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. 

Fursuit: A suit designed to resemble a fictional anthropomorphic animal. 

Fursona: A personality invented by a Furry that is used when wearing a fursuit.