feral

Feral describes a domesticated species that has returned to a wild state, living and reproducing in natural habitats without direct human care. The term derives from Latin ferus, meaning "wild." Feral populations arise when domesticated animals escape, are abandoned, or otherwise leave controlled environments. They descend from domestic ancestors but exhibit behaviors and ecologies similar to wild populations, though they may retain some dependence on human-associated resources.

Common examples include feral cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), pigs (Sus scrofa), horses (Equus ferus caballus), and goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). Feral animals can occupy diverse habitats, from rural to urban settings, and often compete with or predate on native species. Their success depends on factors such as food availability, shelter, reproduction rates, and interactions with other wildlife and humans.

Feral populations can have significant ecological and economic impacts, including predation on wildlife, competition with native species, damage to crops, and transmission of diseases. Management approaches vary by species and jurisdiction and may include sterilization programs, removal, habitat modification, and legal restrictions. Eradication is rarely feasible in large, widespread populations, but localized control is pursued in some contexts to protect ecosystems or public health.

The term is also used for plants that escape cultivation and establish self-sustaining populations, a process often described as naturalization. In this sense, feral plants may be distinguished from truly wild species that have never been domesticated.