What You Don't Know About Bengals

A Walk on the Wild Side

Introduction

The Bengal, with wild cat markings reminiscent of those seen on Jaguars, Ocelots and Leopards, is a favorite among cat show spectators. “The Bengal is a medium to large domestic cat most renowned for its richly colored, highly contrasted coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling.”1 These feline beauties are inquisitive, active and friendly companions. With their fondness for water, pet owners should not be surprised if their Bengal joins them in the shower or tub! Affectionate in nature, Bengals love to play, and especially enjoy interactive, energetic playtime with their human family.

“Bengals come in two basic pattern flows: the spotted/rosetted and the marbled. The marbled pattern looks more like the extended blur of a Clouded Leopard’s markings.”1 Their plush pelt comes in several colors, regardless of coat pattern, including a wide range of tabbies (blue, black, fawn, lilac, chocolate, cinnamon and black-silver) and lynx points that are reminiscent of snow leopards (seal, blue, lilac and other color combinations).3

Eye colors on Bengals vary depending on coat coloration. Lynx points have blue eyes, minks have aqua eyes, while most tabbies have green, yellow or gold eyes. With the Bengal, variety is the name of the game, and there’s something there for every cat fancier.1

A Little History, If You Please!

Although it can trace its roots to wild ancestors, “...today’s Bengal Cat comes only from breeding Bengals to other Bengals.”1 Originating in the United States, this striking feline is a relatively new breed. “The Bengal is actually a hybrid, with its origins stemming from the crossing of an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. The Asian Leopard Cat is native to Southeast Asia and is a small, wild species of feline.”2