What is a feral animal?

A feral animal refers specifically to an individual that has escaped domestication and reverts to a wild state. This definition encapsulates the behavior and lifestyle of such animals, as they typically live outside of human control and exhibit natural instincts and behaviors associated with wild animals. Feral animals, such as cats or dogs, may have once been domesticated but have since adapted to survive in the wild, often forming their own social structures and hunting for food independently.

The other options highlight different aspects of animal interaction with humans and captivity. For instance, domesticated animals are trained by people or live in captivity, which is the opposite of what defines a feral animal. Additionally, a friendly demeanor towards humans does not necessarily indicate a feral status, as many wild animals may approach humans out of curiosity or in search of food, but this does not change their classification as feral or domesticated.