Bengal cats are a hybrid variety of cats, which are very homely and friendly by nature with a very wild look. They are also very intelligent and alert. Along with being friendly, they are very good at sports. Their distinct features are markings such as spots and rosette.
They have a very close resemblance to the Asian Leopard Cat and from its taxonomic name was the word ‘Bengal’ derived.
Let’s dive right in.
All About Bengal Cats
Bengal cats have an average build. Males weigh up to fifteen pounds and females weigh up to ten pounds. The horizontal lines on the side of their face, which starts from the end of their eyes and goes up to the back of their neck, are known as mascara.
Their bodies have spotting which is usually rosette and some even have a marbled coat pattern. Bengal cats with spots, with more than one color, are the ones that are in demand. The color of spots varies from rust to chocolate brown to cocoa to gray and black.
Champions
Their tail, hind legs and fore limbs have symmetrical stripes. Bengal cats win championships in most of the competitions held to award the most exotic pet because of their looks, intelligence and friendly nature.
Bengal cats are the result of years of selective crossbreeding techniques. Jean Mill of the United States developed Bengals in the 1970s.
Hybrids
They are a hybrid breed created from crossing other breeds of domestic cats like the American shorthair, Egyptian maus, ocicat, Abyssinian and other shorthaired pet cats.
Basically, Bengal cats originated by crossing the small Asian Leopard cat or ALC and domestic cats. This gives them the wild and exotic look with a friendly nature. Breeders are still working all over the globe to develop more qualities in this breed.
Generations
The foundational generations of the filial are the first three generations of Bengals. Most of the males of these generations didn’t have the ability to reproduce, where as the females were.
After the fifth generation, they were no longer crossbred; instead breeding was done between two Bengal cats.
Three Kinds of Bengal Cats
Presently there are three kinds of Bengal cats available as pets, the Cheetoh, the Toyger, and the Serengeti cat.
Cheetoh
The Cheetoh are hybrid cats derived by crossing Ocicat and Bengal to get a breed of spotted cats.
Toyger
The Toyger are hybrid cats, which are produced by crossing domestic pets that results in a cat with stripes.
Serengeti
The Serengeti cat has been produced by crossing Siamese or Oriental cats to get a cat that looks like an African Serval.
Patterns
Based on their patterns they can be named as the brown marbled tabby, brown spotted tabby, seal mink marbled tabby, seal mink spotted tabby, seal sepia marbled tabby, seal sepia spotted tabby, seal marbled lynx point, and seal spotted lynx point.
Other than the mentioned colors, they also come in blue, grey, and black, but have still yet to get recognition across the world in these colors.
Bengal Cats Love Water and Sports
Unlike other domestic cats, Bengal cats get fascinated with running water and are easy to bathe. They get attracted to tap water, showers and instantly jump inside the tub. They are also trained to vocalize so as to interact with their owners.
Bengal cats are good with sports and play hide and seek and also learn games very well. Young ones need human attention and can be bonded with by playing for at least an hour during the day and evening.
They are attention seekers and always try to be involved in human activities.
Time
They follow their owners, but do not like to be placed on laps. People who have made up their minds to keep Bengal cats as pets should be aware that they have to spend lots of time with the cat, otherwise it will get bored.
Trouble
And if the cat gets bored it can get frustrated and can create a lot of trouble. They have a very high energy level, which they need to let out, that can only be expended by keeping them occupied with activities.
Pairs
Owners of Bengal cats who do not have time to spare should certainly keep them in pairs, so that they can play with each other. Both of the Bengals should be given equal attention, otherwise the neglected one tends to become envious of the other.
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