ferals
Once-domesticated gone wild
Ferals are animals or plants that have returned to a wild state after domestication: feral cats, feral hogs.
The term extends to people perceived as uncivilized or uncontrolled, often applied disparagingly to unruly children or marginalized groups.
In Australian slang, ferals are countercultural types—crusty, dreadlocked, living rough by choice.
Not domesticated or controlled
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- unbrokenNot damaged or interrupted
- savageFierce and untamed
- primalFirst in origin
instinctive · unsocialized · aggressive · wary · skittish · fearful · defensive · territorial
Ownerless wandering canines
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- community catsUnowned outdoor feline populations
- alley catsFeral urban felines
- free-roamingAble to wander unrestricted
outdoor cats · unowned · unclaimed · trap-neuter-return · spay · neutering · wildlife management · population control
Uncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- outdoorsIn open air
- alleywaysNarrow urban passages
- barnsAgricultural storage buildings
- junkyardsSites collecting discarded vehicles
abandoned buildings · underpasses · dumpsters · rural · urban · bushland · outback · scrubland
Electronic dance partygoers
- partygoersCelebration attendees
- nightlifeEvening entertainment culture
- rave cultureElectronic dance music subculture
- wild onesUntamed beings or mavericks
free spirits · rebellious · counterculture · underground · hedonistic · uninhibited · letting loose · unrestrained
wild
Not domesticated or controlled
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- unbrokenNot damaged or interrupted
- savageFierce and untamed
primal · instinctive · unsocialized · aggressive · wary · skittish · fearful · defensive · territorial · predatory
stray dogs
Ownerless wandering canines
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- community catsUnowned outdoor feline populations
- alley catsFeral urban felines
free-roaming · outdoor cats · unowned · unclaimed · trap-neuter-return · spay · neutering · wildlife management · population control · shelter
wilderness
Uncultivated, uninhabited natural region
junkyards · abandoned buildings · underpasses · dumpsters · rural · urban · bushland · outback · scrubland · roaming
ravers
Electronic dance partygoers
- partygoersCelebration attendees
- nightlifeEvening entertainment culture
- rave cultureElectronic dance music subculture
wild ones · free spirits · rebellious · counterculture · underground · hedonistic · uninhibited · letting loose · unrestrained
- cat typestabby, tabbies, house cat, tomcat, tom
- stray dogsstrays, street dogs, village dogs, junkyard dogs
feralspets
Domesticated companion animals
domesticated animals · companion animals · lap dogs · livestock · purebreds
feralstame
Made gentle, manageable
domesticated · docile · gentle · socialized · trained
- feral hogsUndomesticated roaming swine
- feral catReverted wild domestic feline
- feral dogsDomesticated canines gone wild
- feral pigsUndomesticated swine populations
- feral animalsFormerly domestic, now wild
- feral childHuman youth raised in wilderness