The Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed created from a hybrid of the Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), with domestic cats, especially the spotted Egyptian Mau. The breed name comes from the leopard cat's taxonomic name. Bengals have a wild appearance; their golden shimmer comes from their leopard cat ancestry, and their coats may show spots, rosettes, arrowhead markings, or marbling. They are an energetic breed which needs much exercise and play. The Bengal is a sleek, muscular cat with a wild appearance, enhanced by the bold marbling and spotting on their thick, luxurious coat. Despite their striking appearance, physically there is nothing extreme about their build or structure, as this is a well-balanced cat without any exaggerated features, smallish ears, wedge shaped head, neat paws and athletic outline.
Bengals make fabulous pets for experienced cat owners who love an active, curious and dog-like cat - and can keep them entertained with toys, games and plenty of environmental enrichment. No matter their appeal, if you are after a cat who lies around looking decorative and stays out of the way, the Bengal is not for you! They are into everything, highly amused by simple things such as a dripping tap or flowing water (watch them for knocking your water glass over to see the water spill!), they adore human company and will play for hours if you are willing - and even if you arenโt! This is not really a lap cat; they are simply too busy with stuff and things to want to settle on your lap for long. Although not typically a noisy cat, the Bengal is capable of a loud and strident cry when things are not going their way or they feel they are lacking attention
The Bengal is considered a medium to large sized cat. The weight of the adult Bengal cat varies between 11 and 17 pounds for a male and between 7 and 12 pounds for a female. Their average life expectancy is 14 to 16 years.
This page was built by Mariia Buriak