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Bengal Cats
 
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Below: Robbie illustrates the "panther walk" inherited from the Bengal's wild ancestors!
Coming soon- The many colors of Bengal Cat- complete with pictures! Silver, snow lynx, marble, silver snow, and more! This page is under construction! The Bengal Cat is a medium to large domestic feline that originates from crossings of the small Asian Leopard Cat to the domestic cat in an attempt to create a breed of cat with an "exotic" look but a personality suitable for a domestic pet. After four to five generations of Bengal-to-Bengal breeding, the breed is recognized by most cat associations, and still has that "just stepped out of the jungle" look.
The sociable domestic personality has also been attained in the breed,
although their exotic background does very much show through!
Bengals are not for people who just want a leopard-print cat for
decoration. Whether they are fishing in the aquarium, splashing in the
sink, fetching balls, taking walks on a leash or climbing to the
top of the refrigerator, Bengals are constantly on the move! They
are also very social cats who will follow you around Bengal cats are also unique in their love of water... they will play for hours in the stream from a slightly running tap, splashing and having a wonderful time! Their affinity for water comes from their Asian Leopard Cat ancestors, who were at home in a habitat full of streams and rivers. The Bengal comes in several beautiful colors and patterns. There are as many variations as individual cats, within the standard... you will not find a "cookie cutter" Bengal. Each one is unique. In the Spotted pattern, the spots may take the form of striking rosettes, in "doughnut", "pawprint" or "arrowhead" shapes, along with single spotting. Rosettes are often two-toned, with a dark border around a lighter center.
The Marble pattern is striking as well, with its swirls of color, every cat as one-of-a-kind as a fingerprint. Ideally, both Spotted and Marble Bengals should have a horizontal flow to their pattern rather than a vertical or circular, so as to look as much like the wild Leopard Cat pattern as possible. Circular flow in the pattern of a Marble often creates what is known as a "bullseye", which is undesirable for show but can still create a beautiful pet! The background color on a Bengal can be as unique as its pattern, with colors ranging from ivory to deep Mahogany. Even a "Brown" Bengal can be many different shades!
The Bengal is a relatively large, shorthaired cat, with males averaging from 10 to 15 pounds. Females are usually smaller, although both sexes appear larger than they are because of their muscular, long-bodied frame.
The head of a Bengal should look as wild as possible, with small rounded ears, puffy whisker pads and intense face markings. A good Bengal is said to have "a wild expression". White "eyeliner" or "goggles", such as we see on the Asian Leopard Cat, is preferred and adds to the stunning beautiful wild effect. "Mascara" is another marking on a good Bengal, as is a "chin strap"... both illustrated below on Shalimar's face!
The Bengal's exercise, nutritional and immunization requirements are the same as for all domestic cats. SBT registered Bengals, four or more generations from the original cross with the Leopard Cat, are considered domestic for all practical purposes. They do not have any litterbox issues or shyness carrying over from their wild ancestors. The Bengal of today, while still being a developing breed, is a loving and affectionate companion which makes it possible for anyone to have a Leopard in their living room!
Here are links to a few VERY entertaining short videos featuring Bengal cats... if a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a video? =) Bengal kitten playing in the running water; (Robbie does this too!)
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the house, "talk" to you (and expect an answer!) and be in your lap
whenever you sit down. Bengals have been described as
"happy" cats; they are extremely active and intelligent, love to play
and love to explore. Nothing is too locked-down for a Bengal!
Bengals are perfect for people who want to interact and play with their
cat daily, and do very well in pairs. They enjoy the
attention of both adults and children, and adapt well to other pets in
the home. Bengals are very sweet-natured and affectionate cats,
who do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. 
