A feral cat is a free roaming, unowne and untamed domestic cat. In contrast, a stray cat (or alley cat), while unowned, still exhibits temperament similar to that of a pet. In popular usage, these terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Feral cats may be born in the wild and never socialized, or may be escaped pets that have reverted to a wild state. They should not be confused with wildcats, which are not descended from domestic cats.