Bengal Kittens
Male born April 1st / Female born April 8th
While many people consider the Bengal to be a wild cat that only pretends to be domesticated, the breed is actually very sweet and loving. The Bengal attaches closely to her people and is a loyal friend.
A Leopard-Like Look
One of the Bengal cat’s most noticeable physical traits is their leopard-like spots or rosettes. Their spots can come in a variety of colors, such as rust, chocolate brown, or black. Their coats can also be a variety of colors, including golden, rust, brown, orange, sand, and ivory. Some Bengal cats have fur that shimmers in the light as if they’d been dusted with glitter.
Bengal cats have smallish, round heads, large eyes, and striking facial marking. They have strong muscular bodies and a streamlined appearance much like their Asian Leopard ancestors. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, which helps give them a powerful but graceful stride.
Bengal Cat Temperament
A cat’s personality has a lot to do with their environment and experiences. However, in the case of Bengal cats, there are some characteristics that come from their wildcat heritage. For instance, they are typically very intelligent, energetic, confident, and ever alert—just like they’d need to be to survive in the jungle!
Bengals and WATER 💧
Like Asian Leopard cats, Bengal cats are obsessed with water. Don’t be surprised if your Bengal cat follows you right into the shower or jumps in a tub filled with water! If you have a Bengal cat at home, you might want to buy a pet fountain to help keep them entertained.
Keep in mind that their love of water means aquarium fish can be at risk around Bengal cats. The idea of getting wet is unlikely to hold these cats back from dipping their paws into the tank to scoop out a fishy friend to play with or nibble on. In addition, Bengal cats have a high prey drive, so be sure to keep small pets like hamsters or rabbits safely out of reach.
Other Fun Facts About Bengal Cats
In addition to their love of water, there are plenty of other fun facts about Bengal cats. Here are some of the more interesting ones:
- Bengal cats were called Safari Cats until the 1970s when their name was changed to reflect the Asian Leopard cat’s scientific name, which is Prionailurus bengalensis.
- Over the years, they have been coveted as pets because of their wildcat look. In fact, it’s reported that a woman in London paid $50,000 for her Bengal cat. This earned them the nickname as the “Rolls Royce of cats.”
- Bengal cats don’t have your typical meow. They make a raspy noise that can sound more like a bark.
- These cats have very agile paws and have been known to flip light switches on and off.
A Leopard-Like Look
One of the Bengal cat’s most noticeable physical traits is their leopard-like spots or rosettes. Their spots can come in a variety of colors, such as rust, chocolate brown, or black. Their coats can also be a variety of colors, including golden, rust, brown, orange, sand, and ivory. Some Bengal cats have fur that shimmers in the light as if they’d been dusted with glitter.
Bengal cats have smallish, round heads, large eyes, and striking facial marking. They have strong muscular bodies and a streamlined appearance much like their Asian Leopard ancestors. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, which helps give them a powerful but graceful stride.
Bengal Cat Temperament
A cat’s personality has a lot to do with their environment and experiences. However, in the case of Bengal cats, there are some characteristics that come from their wildcat heritage. For instance, they are typically very intelligent, energetic, confident, and ever alert—just like they’d need to be to survive in the jungle!
Bengal Cat Size
Bengal cats tend to be medium to large in size. They might weigh between 8-15 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 13-16 inches tall. Of course, these are generalizations and any individual Bengal cat could be different.
History
The first documented Bengal cat is attributed to a California-based breeder named Jean Mill. She developed this breed by crossing a Domestic Shorthair with an Asian Leopard cat in 1963. This makes Bengal cats a relatively new breed, especially when you compare them to Persian cats who trace their origins all the way back to the 1600s.
Asian Leopard cats are wild felines found throughout Asia who are about the size of a domestic cat. As you’ll see, Bengal cats seem to have inherited many characteristics from the Asian Leopard, such as their distinctive spots, energetic natures, and love of playing in water.