Even without verbal dialogue, animals demonstrate their feelings in a variety of nuances that aren’t just instinctive, but also have evolved forms of communication within and between species.
Furries’ expressiveness is essential to their personalities and emotional connection with the public. Since an animal’s face has a different structure than a human’s, adapting recognizable features requires a balance between the species’ natural features and styling.
This article proposes an interpretation of animals’ senses involving their emotional communication, in addition to proceeding with facial and body expressions in capturing information in the external and internal environment with a wide variety of examples.
Senses
The five classic senses—smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste—play crucial roles that go beyond survival, and are used in adaptive ways to express and interpret feelings about their surroundings.
Smell
Many animals, especially mammals, use their sense of smell to detect the emotional state of other individuals, foods, and objects. Pheromones, chemicals that these animals release, are an effective means of conveying feelings such as fear, excitement, or territoriality. Ants, for example, use pheromones to signal danger or changes in group behavior.
Hearing
Sound communication is especially important for mammals and birds. Lions roar to assert dominance or attract attention, while birds sing to establish territory or courtship. Many other animals, such as bats and dolphins, also use sounds to communicate and coordinate emotional behaviors, such as locating mates or defending territory. Some salamanders use secretions for social recognition.
Vision
Vision is a powerful tool in emotional communication. A notable example is chameleons, which change color to express emotions such as stress or excitement. In some species of fish and cephalopods, such as octopuses and squid, changes in skin color and patterns are a direct form of emotional communication. Certain jellyfish and bioluminescent marine worms flash patterns of light to deter predators.
Touch
Physical touch is also essential for expressing feelings. Mammals, such as elephants, wolves and primates, demonstrate affection and mutual support through touch and caresses. Among invertebrates, octopuses touch each other with their tentacles, and ants and bees, which communicate more through pheromones, use touch to organize the colony or resolve conflicts.
Taste
Although less explored, taste also plays a role in the emotional relationships of some animals, particularly in feeding and species recognition. Certain reptiles and amphibians use their tongues to capture particles in their environment and interpret chemical signals. Bees detect specific flavors to recognize members of the colony and avoid dangerous substances.
Facial Expressions
This is the expression of facial expressions, with the presence of small muscle contractions, variations in symmetry or changes in tension. Mammals have the most advanced facial muscles among animals, and their facial expressions are similar to those of humans, which facilitates empathy and communication between species, especially in domesticated animals.
Mammals
Their facial expressions allow for a diversification of emotions that control changes in looks, mouths, snouts, ears and even skin. Despite sharing similar characteristics, there is considerable complexity between them.
•Eyes
The eyes are essential for visual contact with other mammals. In addition to their shape, the size of the pupils and the movement of the eyebrows reinforce different emotions such as fear, attention or relaxation.
Examples: Leopards and ocelots dilate their pupils when hunting or threatened. Seals and sea lions move their whiskers and eyes to show curiosity. Monkeys raise their eyebrows to indicate surprise, attention, or concern.
•Mouth
The mouth is used for both aggressive signals and social and affectionate expressions. Exposing the teeth can be a signal of combativeness or submission.
Examples: A broad smile in chimpanzees and bonobos can indicate joy, but a tense smile with clenched teeth can be the previously mentioned signal of submission. Dogs, wolves, lions, and bears growl and show their teeth to indicate threat and readiness for confrontation. In hippos, exaggerated mouth opening not only indicates threat but also territorial display.
•Snout
The snout serves for chemical communication and to convey tastes. Flared nostrils indicate alertness or excitement, and are common in horses and deer when detecting a strong or unfamiliar scent.
Examples: Some mammals, such as pigs and anteaters, have highly mobile snouts that contribute to subtle expressions. In rats, rapid nose movement shows excitement, stress, or interest in the place. A wrinkled nose in wolves and dogs indicates disgust or irritation when smelling something unpleasant.
•Ears
Ears are mobile components that do more than just hear. Mammals such as rabbits and servals adjust them according to their mood. Erect ears indicate attention, while lowered ears can indicate fear or irritation.
Examples: In horses and cats, ears pointed back reveal fear, irritation, aggression, or submission. In camels and llamas the same pointed back ears precedes spitting. Separate movements in bats’ ears are to better capture sounds.
The influence of domestication has modified the facial expressions of some animals, especially dogs and cats. Studies show that dogs have developed specific facial muscles to raise their eyebrows, creating a “puppy eye” that influences the emotional response of humans. Similarly, cats use a slow blink as a signal of trust and affection.
Birds
Despite not having such mobile facial muscles, they are still very expressive and communicative animals, using the movement of their beaks and the position of their eyes to demonstrate emotions such as curiosity, fear or aggression.
Examples: In some species, such as parrots and corvids, the pupils contract and dilate rapidly (a phenomenon called pinning) when the bird is excited, interested or agitated. A half-open beak in owls and hawks can indicate discomfort, heat or aggression, while in parakeets and cockatiels, this behavior can indicate preparation or excitement for vocalization. Sounds produced by flapping the beak can indicate territoriality (as in toucans) or courtship (as in woodpeckers).
Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish
Without large facial muscles, these animals rely on more subtle changes in their faces, such as head, mouth and eye movements, and pupil dilation, to express themselves.
Examples: Crocodiles, for example, adjust their pupils depending on the light and their state of alertness, while lizards signal trust by closing their eyes. In frogs and toads, wide-open eyes indicate alertness and vigilance. In some species of fish, opening the mouth can be a sign of intimidation, such as in puffer fish, which inflate their bodies and keep their mouths slightly open when they feel threatened.
Invertebrates
Facial expressions are virtually non-existent, but many of them still display visual cues on their faces. They use structures such as eyes, antennae, jaws, and proboscis.
Examples: Dragonflies keep their eyes fixed and facing forward on their prey before attacking. Erect and forward-facing antennae indicate interest and exploration of something new in beetles and ants. Extended proboscis in butterflies and flies may indicate feeding or exploration of the environment.
Body Expressions
Although facial expressions are essential, body postures and movements play an equally vital role in sensations. Body behavior as a whole represents more amplified emotions, since more components of the body move in reactions and is a powerful language that often complements or replaces facial expressions.
Mammals
Their body expressions also present more sophisticated forms of communication compared to other groups of animals.
•Head
The way mammals move their heads complements facial and body expressions, reinforcing emotions and intentions.
Examples: The tilt of the head shows curiosity and attention in dogs and cats. If the head is lowered with the horns forward, it is a sign of attack and territorial dispute in cattle and elk. Shaking it vigorously shows excitement or frustration in elephants.
•Body
In addition to reinforcing postures, the body is also used for expressiveness.
Examples: Capybaras, cheetahs and leopards rub their bodies against their peers as a sign of affection and to strengthen social bonds. Whales and dolphins’ jumps and splashes in the water are forms of communication and display. Domestic cats lower their bellies and tuck their paws in when they are frightened.
•Fur
Changes in fur that indicate emotional states, health and temperature also serve to comfort the animal.
Examples: When frightened, animals raise their hair, an attribute called piloerection, common in felines. Bears and hyenas can raise their fur on their backs to show aggression. Uakaris have reddish skin on their faces for social display.
•Tail
The tail is also a great indicator of mood depending on its positioning and motion.
Examples: In dogs, if it is between the legs, it is usually a sign of submission or fear, while wagging the tail shows joy, while a cat with its tail erect expresses confidence or happiness. In squirrels, raising the tail and making small jumps indicates aggression. A raised tail in deer means that it has seen a sign of danger, exposing the white part.
•Paws
The use of paws is for communication, touch, attack, defense and adaptation to the environment.
Examples: Baboon monkeys punch the ground to show frustration. Flapping the water and flipper gestures indicate aggression or play in seals and walruses. Otters hold each other’s hands while sleeping to keep them from getting separated.
Birds
Species in this group are highly visual. In birds, the body and plumage are used to demonstrate feelings. Feathers may be ruffled as a sign of anger or fear. Wing and foot movements are also a form of communication and display.
Examples: Birds such as peacocks display their feathers in times of excitement or courtship. Cockatiels place a foot on another bird as a sign of affection. Hyacinth macaws swish their tails from side to side during happy social interactions.
Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish
In reptiles, amphibians and fish, communication is transmitted through movements of the head, body and limbs. Defensive body behavior, such as expanding the body or changing coloration, is common when they feel threatened or dominant. The “relaxed” or shrinking posture can also indicate submission or insecurity.
Examples: Nile crocodiles raise their heads and open their jaws wide when they feel threatened or during territorial disputes. Clownfish move their fins and tail fluidly when interacting with other members of the colony or with the anemone. Leaf frogs become more expansive and change skin color when they feel threatened.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates communicate emotions clearly with their bodies. Octopuses retract or expand their tentacles according to their emotional state, while certain species of shrimp change the position of their shell. Bees, for example, show agitation by flapping their wings more frantically.
Examples: Octopuses retract or expand their tentacles according to their emotional state. Certain species of shrimp change the position of their shell. Bees, for example, show agitation by flapping their wings more frantically. Scorpions raise their tails with their pincers as a threat signal.
Tips for Shaping Animal Expressions in Furries
In artistic projects, understanding how different species express emotions is essential to capturing their authenticity. It’s about respecting what makes each species unique, but allowing the characters to captivate viewers.
Take a good look at the species of origin
Before defining how an anthropomorphic character responds, see how they perceive the world. Understand the dominant senses of the species.
•Take Anatomy and Posture into Account
Body movements should respect the original biomechanics of the species. Even with a humanoid body, maintain certain characteristics of the way of locomotion.
•Respect Their Emotional Codes
Each species has its own emotional language. What might be a threat in one might be a greeting in another, for example. Study the vocabulary of the species that inspires your character before translating it.
•Don’t Imitate Literally
Capture the emotional essence, but also try to capture the meanings behind it with sensitivity, instead of trying to faithfully copy each behavior.
Use heightened senses
Senses shape postures and reactions. Furries with heightened senses may react differently to their surroundings.
Integrate Facial Expressions into your Design Without Forcing Humanization
Avoid falling into the trap of applying human expressions directly. Instead, translate what the emotion represents into the species’ body language.
The Body Speaks
Animal body language is often clearer than facial language. Use this to your advantage. Follow muscle contractions and maintain coherence.
Combine Face and Body Expressions
In animals, the body integrates the face, making the emotion complete. Avoid isolated human facial expressions (such as raising just one eyebrow or smiling broadly) without body support; take advantage of the capacity that moving parts offer.
Study Behavioral References
More than ready-made poses, observe natural movements in photos, videos and your surroundings. High-speed cameras in documentaries or animal rehabilitation channels show detailed gestures
Remembering that words are not always necessary, senses and gestures can already give meaning to the image or narrative.
Exposing the Sentimental Legacy of Animals in Furry Expressions
In each behavior, animals carry a great emotional burden without saying a word. This means deciphering a multitude of ways of feeling and expressing themselves that mark a part of the species we analyze.
By applying this knowledge of the senses and facial and body expressions of animals to furries, we give them a presence that goes beyond aesthetics and create a connection that goes beyond “looking like an animal”.
It is important to understand these living beings not only in artistic works, but in our daily lives. An emotional repertoire that serves both intraspecies communication and sensory reading by human observers.
