The Bengal is a new cat breed, originating from crossing a domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat, from where its name derives from it Latin name of Felis Bengalensis. The Bengal looks similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard Cat, but with a domestic temperament.
The Bengals are large muscular sleek cats with high hind-quarters and a thick tail. The fur has either a marbled coat or distinctive spots on a background colour of brown or occasionally white.
The Bengal is a very alert and inquisitive cat whilst being affectionate.
The Bengal make a distinctive cooing and chirping sounds, very different from the domestic cat.
The Bengals love playing with water, a dripping tap is a great attraction.
The Bengals ancestor, the Asian Leopard Cat is similar in built to a domestic cat, having a smaller head, large tail and large eyes as they are very nocturnal in lifestyle. Weighing 7-15 lbs and having a length of 25-32 inches, with the male being slightly larger and heavier. They have a varied fur colour depending on their origin, with the more Northern ones being more red in colour and the southern ones being more yellow / brown. This makes them very attractive and therefore prone to hunting for their fur.
The Asian Leopard Cat has a wide range, crossing from the Soviet Far East through to the Islands of South East Asia such as Philippines and Borneo, though locally known under a wide range of names. It is one of the most common small cats. Though with the widespread destruction of its habitat and fur hunting its numbers are under increasing pressure and their trade is regulated under the Endangered Species Trade Arrangement.
Asian Leopard cats are nocturnal and solitary cats, often living near water where they are great swimmers and fishers. They climb well and often make their homes and live a lot in the trees.
Asian Leopard cats do not make god pets and avoid humans when they can.
So Bengal cats are a cross between a domestic cat, originally an Egyptian Maus, Ocicat or Abyssinians. Often the breeding is with a male domestic cat with a female Leopard cat. Once the cross is fourth generation or more from a Leopard cat, this is then recognised as a Bengal cat. Generations 1 to 3 are known as Leopard cat hybrids, being semi-wild, are not reliably friendly and are best reserved for experienced pet keepers or breeders. .
Bengal cats come in two different background colours with two different patterns. White otherwise known as snow Bengals and brown Bengals in either a principally spotted form, he most common or the rarer marbled one. The blue eyed versions are very prized.
The Bengal spots come in wide range of sizes and patterns, the large spots are particularly sought after. The spots are ideally random, but sometimes they run into stripes which is less popular. Purchasing a snow Bengal is more difficult as the patterns only develop over the first few months and even then are not as pronounced as on the brown ones.
The Bengal cat behaviour is one of an intelligent, active cat that like interaction with people. They rush around an love climbing and leaping loving the top of cupboards in the kitchen. They can also be very affectionate and real softies, rolling up in curls and purring on your lap. They are not aggressive, but with their leaping around, they can sometime accidentally scratch you, en passant as the French say, as they leap past
Like their ancestor the Asian Leopard Cat they love water and will swim and jump in your bath given a chance. They love ponds, but careful if you have fish, they will catch and eat them. They love drinking and playing from dripping taps, not very green, but great fun to watch. For men keep the toilet seat down, particularly if you have put bleach in it.
The Bengal has a very distinctive voice, that is quite melodic and is quite varied. They are not as noisy and regular as a Siamese.
Whilst a Bengal is a domestic cat, the striking markings and looks can result in people thinking they are a wild animal, that would require a license. Like any domestic cat, they will scratch and bite if provoked, cornered or scared. So treat them as any other cat and supervise them carefully if young children are around. The views of people outside (they may think they are wild cats) and their attractive fur, probably means you should keep them as a house cat, or carefully supervised or on a lead outside. It is also advisable to keep the Bengal cat on your property, not walking them in public on a lead, though you will get attention, dogs may chase after them and frighten them, or they may escape.
So Bengal cats are energetic and loving animals, in certain ways more like a dog, so well worth considering.