Unusual cats of the world: Bengal cat

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Unusual cats of the world: Bengal cat

The Bengal cat breed appeared relatively recently from an interspecific crossing of an ordinary domestic shorthair cat and a wild Asian leopard cat. Serious experiments on breeding a Bengal cat began in the 60s of the last century and were quite successful, because, as a rule, cubs from such crossings turn out to be sterile and cannot leave offspring. Generation after generation, scientists have improved the quality characteristics of the Bengal cat, and finally came to certain standards. This is how the Bengal cat, a small domestic leopard, appeared.

What does a Bengal cat look like?

The Bengal cat has an unusual color, which is impossible not to fall in love with! Typically, the pattern on the skin is marbled or spotted, and the color of the fur itself is from golden to reddish, orange and even ivory. The spots also vary in size and color, but as a rule, they are already darker than the main color - black, chocolate brown, cocoa orcharcoal. It often happens that multi-colored marks on the skin merge with each other and form “rosettes” - dark on the edging, but light in the middle. And with a marble color, one or more colors smoothly turn into the main shade of a cat's coat. As a rule, the animal has a very shiny coat of medium length. A Bengal cat has a long, muscular, graceful body (the genes of wild ancestors, which can be up to 25% in their blood), as well as a long tail thinning towards the end. On average, an adult male weighs up to 7 kg, and a female weighs up to 4 kg, life expectancy with proper care can be from 15 to 17 years. From birth, they are very mobile and are always happy to show their master their dexterity and activity.

Pet personality

Skins are often deceiving. Seeing in a store or at a breeder how provocatively frolicking Bengal kittens, you will think that a small predator will go home with you. But this is by no means the case. Despite the wild progenitors, the Bengal cat has a soft and friendly disposition, it usually obeys the owners, and also easily gets used to a certain place for food and toilet. Their behavior is quite typical for an ordinary domestic cat, unless they are a little more mobile and active. These pets are very sociable, love to communicate with both owners and guests. Do not deny your pet attention if he comes and lies on your knees or on your shoulders, which they especially love, and starts purring - talking to you.

Smallhome diver

But what strikingly distinguishes a Bengal cat from any other is the love of water and water procedures. They are happy to wash and like to climb up to the owner when he takes a shower or bath. But be careful! If you have an aquarium at home, one day you can find your pet fishing for goldfish in it. In general, Bengal cats are unpretentious in their care. Like any other pets, they need two meals a day and a clean toilet. Their short coat can be brushed out once a week and their nails trimmed if necessary.