Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

What is a free-roaming "wild" animal that was once domesticated called?

1. Feral

2. Stray

3. Wild

4. Primitive

The correct answer is: Feral

A free-roaming "wild" animal that was once domesticated is referred to as feral. The term specifically applies to animals that have returned to a wild state after having been domesticated, which sets them apart from truly wild species that have never been domesticated. This relationship to domestication is key in distinguishing feral animals as they often exhibit behaviors and physical traits that are influenced by their domesticated ancestors, while also adapting to survive in a wild environment. For example, feral cats are descendants of domesticated cats that have returned to the wild, navigating living and hunting on their own. This contrasts with terms like stray, which typically describes domesticated animals that have been lost or abandoned but may not have fully adapted to wild living. Similarly, the term wild refers to animals that live independently of human influence and have never been domesticated, while primitive generally refers to species that are ancient or considered to be at an early stage of development, rather than indicating the status of domestication or return to wildness.