The Bengal cats, often referred to as mini leopards, are among the world’s most popular feline breeds. Their striking coat patterns and dynamic personality are resembling the power and beauty of the wild cat. This is because of the Bengal’s ancestry. They are a cat hybrid that came from the crossbreed of an Asian Leopard cat and a domestic cat.
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The Bengal cat’s ancestors
The Bengal cat is a relatively new cat breed that was first successfully created in the USA by Jean Mill and Dr. Willard Centerwall, both are reputable exotic cat breeders.
Dr. Centerwall initiated the crossbreeding of Asian Leopard cats with domestic shorthair cats. He did this for research purposes because experts found out that Asian Leopard cats are resistant to feline leukemia. He wanted to know if this trait could be inherited by a hybrid offspring.
But Dr. Willard Centerwall got ill before he finishes the research, so he hands over the cats to Jean Mill. Jean Mill became interested in developing a cat as a domestic breed. She made the first recorded intentional cross of her domestic cat (a black California tomcat) with an Asian Leopard cat. The legacy of the Bengal cat breed began in 1983 when the breed was officially recognized and accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA).
Let’s now tackle the characteristics of the Bengal cat’s ancestors.
The wild Asian Leopard cat
Physical appearance
The Asian Leopard cats are relatively small wild cats native to the East, South, and South-East Asia regions. These wild cats are as large as a domestic cat on average but with longer legs. Their head is relatively small in relation to their bodies, with slightly long and rounded ears sitting on top. They have a lean, long, and muscular body. Asian Leopard cats can extend up to 18-30 inches in length, plus their 6-13 inches long tail. Their weight ranges from 10-15 pounds. Their spotted coat usually comes in yellowish or reddish-brown, and silver-grey in some region.
Distinctive markings
- They also have various spot patterns that make their coat more stunningly beautiful. The black spots can be spotted, rosetted, marbled, and sometimes form dotted streaks.
- Their head is marked with two dark stripes.
- Two dark stripes run from their eyes to their ears.
- Smaller white line marks run from the eyes to their nose.
- The back of their ear is black, with a white horizontal band in the center.
- Their body and legs have black spots that vary in size and color.
- Along the Leopard cat’s spine are 2-4 rows of extended dark spots.
- Their tail is also spotted with some rings near the dark to a black tip.
Behavior
The Asian Leopard cats are solitary. They tend to work or hunt prey on their own. These cats are nocturnal; they are more active in the night than daytime. Leopard cats are territorial; they patrol and mark their territories with urine or feces.
Domestic Shorthair cat
Domestic shorthair cats have a wide variety of characteristics, for they are cats with mixed ancestry. They are characterized by short fur and a wide range of coat colors, which commonly come in as tabby with any color combinations. They also display a wide range of physical features. For example, domestic shorthairs in Asia tend to have the same built as Siamese with a lean and long body. In contrast, domestic shorthairs in Europe and America have a heavier and thicker build.
Just like their wide range of physical appearance, they also have a very diverse personality. They can be social or aloof, active or tamed, quiet, or vocal. But these cats are often affectionate and friendly.
Popular Bengal mixes
The Snow Bengal cat
This is a man-made crossbreed of a Bengal cat and a Siamese cat. The breeders want to expand the diversity of the Bengal cat breed, and this resulted in Bengals with blue eyes and white fur.
Maine Coon Bengal Mix
The Maine Coon Bengal mix is a product of breeding Maine coon with a Bengal cat. The crossbreed results in a magnificent cat breed with an intelligent and eccentric personality. The pelted coat of Bengal has been modified to short to medium glittery fur, usually golden with an iridescent sheen.
General characteristics of a Bengal cat
Shiny and striking coats
Bengal cats tend to have furs with a ‘shiny effect’ on them thanks to their iridescent sheen, making them look like they got sprinkled with glitter. Additionally, their cats can have different patterns, including rosettes and a swirling or marble pattern.
Different coat colors
The Bengal cat’s coat comes in different colors, ranging from gold, rust, brown, orange, and sand. Moreover, their spots also can come in various shades, including rust, cocoa, brown, and black, making them a colorful feline.
Medium- to large-sized bodies
Bengal cats usually have medium or large bodies, weigh around 8 to 15 pounds (16 to 30 kgs), and have a height of 13 to 16 inches tall. Keep in mind that these are general estimations, and each Bengal cat can be different.
Muscular cats
Bengal cats are usually heavily muscled around their legs and neck. However, despite a relatively large build, they’re surprisingly light, making them a perfect cat for those who like to cuddle with their furry friends.
Common questions about a Bengal cat
Do Bengal cats get aggressive?
Although Bengal cats love biting and scratching, these actions are merely their way of playing and having fun. They may have some wild cat genes in them, but they’re not any more aggressive than an average domesticated cat. Bengal cats are playful but sweet and loving creatures and love frequent human interaction.
Are Bengals dangerous?
A common misconception about Bengal cats is that they’re dangerous, with many people even claiming they can kill humans. None of these claims are true. Although they have the wild Asian leopard cat’s genes, they won’t hunt down or eat any of your friends anytime soon. They’re friendly and playful felines that can be a great companion for anyone.
Can a Bengal cat be a good house pet?
Bengal cats are known for their activeness and love for biting things, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a great house pet. In fact, Bengals are one of the most popular cat breeds globally, with over 60,000 Bengal cats registered by the TICA (The International Cat Association). They’re affectionate and boast a playful dog-like temperament, making them a fantastic family pet.
Conclusion
Bengal cats originated from the wild Asian Leopard cat bred with domestic shorthair cats, which give them the looks of a wild cat and a general personality of a domesticated cat. They are remarkable for their stunningly beautiful spotted coats. Since they were recognized worldwide, breeders wanted to expand Bengal’s diversity, which resulted in different Bengal mixes such as the Snow Bengal cat and the Maine Coon Bengal mix.
