Another "mermaid" thread. Want opinions.

First off my reason for asking this is thus: The more I think of what I shift to and what I, at my core, identify with the more I wonder if "therian" is the better term for myself than just "otherkin". I identify with big cats, a lion-dragon cross, sharks, and a mermaid type of thing (which might tie in with shark making them one and the same)...the last thing being what I want to get your opinions on.

I call it a "mermaid" because that's really all I can think of to call it. Humanoid-shark-thing seems a little too verbose. Anyhow, my question is this - does the animal/being described below count as a mythical animal (and thus fall into a therian type category) or not in your opinion?

If I was at all artistic I'd attempt to draw it. Since I'm not, I'll describe it to the best of my ability. Remember that I identify as psychologically other so this mythical whatever exists *for me* and not necessarily anywhere else, thus it's my own personal conception of what this thing is like.

Appearance: Vaguely humanoid torso leading into a tail that is probably shark-like, but may be more like a cross between a dugong and a whale. Skin is very sharklike possibly containing chromatophores for camouflage and display (much like an octopus). Fins present around the elbows, shoulderblades, sides of the torso, and shark-like fins on the tail dorsally and possibly on the sides of the midline of the tail as well. A lateral line running down the sides of the creature (as in sharks).

The creature's head is humanoid, with ridges running alongside the neck as well as gills that can be flexed as in with nurse sharks so the creature does not have to constantly swim. No external ears, no hair, but a ridge on the head for streamlining. Eyes either being like a shark's or a cuttlefish's and having a nectating membrane like a shark. The teeth being pointed like a shark's, but not forming in rows.

Hands are webbed and end in strong claws.

Communication: Chromatophore induced color changes can show "mood," mating eligibility, and aggression. Vocalizations being dolphinlike (perhaps the head ridge being rather hollow to help produce these sounds) and having a "language" like a dolphin.

Social structure: Loose schooling as in reef shark species that band together for primarily hunting purposes and protection from larger predator species.

Habitat: Ranging from reefs to open water, but not deep sea.

Intelligence and self awareness: Not very intelligent, less intelligent than a dolphin by a few degrees, but having some "language," group hunting skill and techniques. No concept of self. Animalistic (shark) instincts.

Behavior: Hangs out in schools, hunts in schools much like reef sharks attacking prey with teeth and claws as well as scavenging. Carnivorus diet. Births pups much like sharks, but tending to have no more than three with minimal parenting. Mating behavior much like sharks, no pairbonds.

I think that covers everything, any questions please ask. Once again my question being does this creature count as a mythical animal (and thus fall into a therian type category) or not in your opinion? Oh and if you can think of a name to give this thing, lay it on me.

Replied to this on your LJ. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s -->

Too lazy to copy paste I see <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s -->

Seraphyna Wrote:Too lazy to copy paste I see <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s -->

You're a putz, so fine. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s -->

Seraphyna the Putz Wrote:does the animal/being described below count as a mythical animal (and thus fall into a therian type category) or not in your opinion?"

You're going to hate me, but how do you define 'therian'? I assume you're not classifying them as 'only earth animals', right? I still tend to hesitate to categorize griffins, dragons, unicorns, etc. as therian simply because while they can be animalistic, they are still primarily mythological animals. Too bad there isn't a third category between therian (earth based animals) and otherkin (not earth based animals). I can see the similarities to earth based animals, but earth based or not really seems to be a major difference between therians and those other types of otherkin. However, if we're assuming one ginormous category across the mutil-verse, then I could see how such mythological animals could be distant cousins of therians.

Since these creatures still seem humanoid, albeit only a little bit, and are technically mythological, I'd hesitate to categorize them as solely therian. Semi-therian like dragons, etc., absolutely, based on how animalistic they seem. But still not primarily therian. It's the same with my own aquatic fae aspect; similar to a fish in looks, but not 100%, thus, not a therian.

Also, and I fleshed this out before reading this entry, but my own 'aquatic fae/mermaid' seems very similar. However, mine did have hair. It is interesting that you mention a head crest though. As the other day I felt something similar. They also have external ears, similar to elves. Although I suppose they could be confused with head fins instead.

Interesting creature, but I'd still classify them as otherkin since they're mythological.

As for a name, since the scientific name for Caribbean reef sharks is Carcharhinus perezii (I'm assuming you mean these reef sharks as there are several subspecies) how about something like Carcharn or Carchanthro?