What does "feral" mean?

I've heard it before and assumed it meant "outside cat" but I think i'm wrong.

Re: What does "feral" mean?

It does mean outside cat but an undomesticated outside cat. An untamed cat that is not used to human contact. In my kittens thread I was upset that the kittens might be feral b/c once they turn feral it is difficult and time consuming to tame them so many people don't want them. Almost all of the of organizations I called to see if they could put the kittens up for adoption told me no b/c they are most likely feral and not adoptable. So the only option was to TNR (trap, neuter, release) them. Thankfully my neighbor took them and they are not feral and have adapted to her and her husband quite well.

Message edited 5/5/2011 3:14:58 PM.

Re: What does "feral" mean?

Thanks for the explanation!

Re: What does "feral" mean?

Just to go one step further... Feral and wild aren't the same thing. Wild animals are animals whose ancestors were never domesticated. Feral animals are animals with domesticated ancestors who now live in the "wild." Basically feral animals are those who have escaped domestication, whereas wild animals were never domesticated in the first place.

For example, cougars are wild. They don't have domesticated ancestors. Feral cats and hogs are not wild, but rather feral because they have domesticated ancestors. Contrary to popular belief, the frequently called "wild" mustangs in the US are not wild, but in fact feral. There are no truly wild horses in the US, only feral. So while both "wild" and "feral" describe animals living in the so-called "wild" (outside of domestication), they are different in that one describes animals never domesticated and one describes animals descended from once-domesticated animals.

Re: What does "feral" mean?

You're right, I used the wrong word. I have edited my post.

Message edited 5/5/2011 3:17:06 PM.

Re: What does "feral" mean?

I help care for a feral cat colony of about 15(they have all been spayed or neutered, have shelter that is cleaned and are feed daily on private property)
one of the other volunteers has been feeding them for 10 years, they will not let her touch them. they have no desire for human contact. they act a lot like domesticated cats otherwise.