Photos: 'Furries' Visit Redondo Beach

It's not every day that Redondo Beach sees a giant rabbit walking along the International Boardwalk. It's even more unusual when that rabbit is joined by other rabbits, dragons, a platypus, multiple wolves, people with furry tails and other creatures that can't be categorized.

The giant anthropomorphic creatures—also known as "furries"—were in town for , a convention at the hotel dedicated to the "furry" community.

• Online: Official Antheria Website

Rather than rallying around a single fandom, such as Star Trek, Star Wars or Pokemon, the furry community encompasses all anthropomorphic creatures, be them animal, vegetable, mineral, commercial or original creations.

Many people may be part of the furry community and not even know it, explained Antheria spokesman Matt Davis, also known as "2 Gryphon" in the community. Characters like Garfield, Snoopy, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ThunderCats and even the brave little toaster are all animals or inanimate objects that have been "humanized" in some way, be it personality, appearance, mannerisms or anything else.

The way Davis sees it, many people in the community grew up watching anthropomorphic characters like the Ninja Turtles and, more recently, Veggie Tales on television.

"You learn to trust those characters," Davis said. People in the community are "people that didn't want to forget their old friends" when they became adults.

The fursuits—similar to mascot costumes—are an extension of anthropomorphic characters that individuals create. Some may pay homage to existing commercial characters, but most are a product of the owner's imagination. 

A fursuit that covers a person's entire body can cost thousands of dollars; many employ a partial suit, with a fake head and sleeved gloves to cover their arms.

Some simply wear ears and tails, while others opt only for a tail.

"It's a walking art show," said "Uncle Kage," who organizes the annual AnthroCon in Pittsburgh, Pa. "The illusion they create … that's the real magic of the fursuits."

Despite their visibility, people who dress up in fursuits make up only about 15 percent of the community—the vast majority are more traditional artists who draw their characters.

The community has "some of the best graphic artists in the whole world," said Davis. "Our celebrities are us."

The convention's head of security, who went by the name Gavyn Lumier, agreed.

"Our people are fans of each other," he said.

This year's Antheria convention is only the second; last year, it was held at the next door.

Did you attend Antheria or spot anyone wearing a fursuit over the weekend? Upload your photos to our gallery!