Socialized creatures are fully domesticated and comfortable around humans, while feral creatures have had little to no human contact and are basically wild animals.
Semi-feral creatures fall somewhere in between. They tend to avoid being touched, but may vocalize when around humans or even make eye contact.
Although it is a slow, difficult process, taming a semi-feral creature is possible. These 6 steps will help you turn that frightened neighborhood cryptid into a delightful new friend!
Ignoring a creature that you are trying to socialize may seem like silly advice, but according to Flecky Bobington, president and founder of Feral Creature Allies, giving a semi-feral cryptid space and even ignoring them will pique their curiosity and force them to make the first move.
Waiting for the creature to reach out to you, then providing a positive interaction, will show it you can be trusted.
The next step is to provide relaxed, non-threatening enrichment to ensure that the creature enjoys spending time with you and keeps coming back. Cryptid researchers say the best time to initiate an interaction is during quiet times. They also recommend providing treats and toys to encourage the creature to connect with you one-on-one.
Remember that many of the things we take for granted as typical aspects of life may be quite frightening to a semi-feral creature. Sounds like human voices, music, and opening and closing doors may send a nervous cryptid running for the hills. Use feeding times as an opportunity to speak softly and perform slow, deliberate tasks in order to desensitize the creature and show it you are not a threat.
Once you have welcomed your new semi-feral cryptid into your home, there is still work to be done. The creature will be understandably nervous and require a place to hide when overwhelmed. This will help prevent them from feeling cornered.
At the same time, providing too much space can also be overwhelming and lead to trouble – especially with curious creatures. Be sure to cryptid-proof the room first by removing anything fragile or potentially harmful – like wires that could be chewed.
Just as a hot bath and a cup of herbal tea can take the edge off a stressful day, providing a soothing remedy such as an edible, alcoholic beverage or other recreational substance may do the same for your new creature.
While some semi-feral creatures can be tamed in a matter of weeks, it usually takes several months or even entire years before they completely come around. According to Bobington, almost all creatures can be tamed, just remember to be patient, stick to a schedule, respect their natural needs, interact with them regularly, and provide lots of treats!