They aren’t called “wild” cats. Because “wild” animals are where they are supposed to be. In an environment they evolved into.
“Feral” animals are where they aren’t supposed to be. Introduced by humans. As a result of domesticated animals being left to fend for themselves in an environment they didn’t evolve into.
Literally the first sentence on wikipedia, when looking up feral hogs: “A feral pig (Sus scrofa) is a domestic pig which has gone feral”.
That doesn’t mean they’re all escaped or abandoned pets. Maybe their ancestors were, but cats breed, and some places have significant populations of breeding feral cats that have never been inside a home.
You need to look up what the word “feral” means.
They aren’t called “wild” cats. Because “wild” animals are where they are supposed to be. In an environment they evolved into.
“Feral” animals are where they aren’t supposed to be. Introduced by humans. As a result of domesticated animals being left to fend for themselves in an environment they didn’t evolve into.
Literally the first sentence on wikipedia, when looking up feral hogs: “A feral pig (Sus scrofa) is a domestic pig which has gone feral”.
That doesn’t mean they’re all escaped or abandoned pets. Maybe their ancestors were, but cats breed, and some places have significant populations of breeding feral cats that have never been inside a home.
Your point being?