How do I imply that my character is anthro in writing?

I'm interested in writing anthro stories, however, one problem I often worry is how I can imply that my character is anthro.

I can state the species of the character I'm writing, but I'm afraid that the reader will think the character is an actual animal instead of an anthrophomorphic one.

If I mention that the character is a dog, for example, the reader may think that they're an actual dog instead of an anthro one. While I can explicitly mention that the character is an anthro, whether at the beginning of the story or inside it, that does feel a little clunky. Writing "as the anthro dog walked around" feels forced.

I guess I can use descriptions to imply the character walks upright or is anthrophomorphic in some way, but that might cause exposition dump, and if I spread the description over the course of the story, it may cause the reader to lose context for too long. After all, it'd be bad if the reader doesn't realize the character is anthro until halfway through the story.

So, how should I approach this?

dressupgeekout,

TL;DR have some faith that the reader can figure it out.

Making the character do literally anything that an ordinary animal couldn't is good enough. It's also fine to have "the reveal" come a little later.

In the first sentence of the first chapter of the first book of Redwall, Brian Jacques establishes that this character is anthro:

Matthias cut a comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice's habit.

As others have mentioned, clothes are a nice shorthand. Here, Matthias has sandals AND a tail -- that's all the information we NEED to establish the fact he's furry. But there's more: the fact Matthias is described as a "novice" implies some sort of hierarchy or social structure which hints at humanness in my opinion.

It's an example of how the reader can learn about this world at the same time we move the story along -- Matthias is DOING something. No exposition per se is needed.

It's not until a few sentences later we learn that he's a mouse -- "The young mouse squeaked in dismay" -- but that's fine. In the opening moments of the story, Matthias' awkward appearance from his clothes not fitting is more important than the fact he's a mouse.

Stellario, (edited )
@Stellario@pawb.social avatar

You can talk about the animals wearing clothes. Also, I like the word "humanoid."

The humanoid wolf put on his bomber jacket.

or maybe just:

The wolf put on his bomber jacket.

asimplefriedegg,
@asimplefriedegg@yiffit.net avatar

Generally I like to give a physical description without saying a species. Have your character(s) do human things- like drive, go to a restaurant, work, etc. If it's more fantastical you can have them wield physical weapons that require hands. Subtly mentioning any clothing could help too- maybe their feet pinch from their heels, or they tuck their pants into their combat boots. Then on top of these "mundane" descriptions you sprinkle in the unexpected clawed paws, tail, snout, etc

Wander,
@Wander@yiffit.net avatar

Totally agree with this. That seems like an approach I would enjoy reading.

FlowerTree,
@FlowerTree@pawb.social avatar

Basically, write them as if they're humans with animal traits? Seems like a good idea

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