Twolegs

Twolegs is a term used in some anthropomorphic fiction to refer to humans. The name derives from humans walking on two legs, in contrast to the four-legged animal characters who inhabit those worlds. It functions as an in-universe label that signals the difference between natural animal societies and human civilization.

In the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, woodland creatures such as mice, badgers, and squirrels refer to humans as Twolegs. Humans are generally depicted as outsiders who interact with wildlife mainly through artifacts, ruins, or occasional encounters. The term helps establish a sense of distance and tension between animal societies and human civilizations, with humans often portrayed as a looming external threat whose technology and plans exceed the animals’.

In the Warriors series by Erin Hunter, Twolegs is similarly used by cats living in forests and other habitats to describe humans. Their presence—through towns, farms, and human-made structures—encroaches on wildlife territories and creates recurring hazards for feline communities. The Twolegs concept in Warriors contributes to world-building by highlighting conflicts over space, resources, and safety.

Beyond these series, Twolegs appears in other works of anthropomorphic fiction as a shorthand for human beings from an animal perspective. The term underscores themes of otherness, boundary-crossing, and the tension between natural ecosystems and human development. It serves as a concise cultural signal within in-universe lore and storytelling.