THE BREED
WHAT IS A BENGAL?
The Bengal is a relatively new breed of cat which was first bred in the U.S.A and was originally created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. Asian leopard cats are small wild felines living throughout asia from russia and japan to indonesia. Their coat, always spotted or rosetted vary from grey to yellowish. They have a wide range of habitat from mountains (up to 3000m elevation) to forest or grasslands, the only mandatory requirement being the presence of water. They prey on rodents, birds, reptiles, insects and fish.
The domestic Bengal derives its name from the Latin name of its wild ancestor, Felis Bengalensis (Asian Leopard Cat). Whilst the domestic Bengal is similar in appearance to the Asian Leopard cat, and its genetic makeup contains a contribution from that wild cat species, its temperament however is purely domestic.
The Bengal cat has become one of the most desired breeds in the world because of its beautiful coat, wild looks and playful nature. It has also attracted an array of breeders because of an increased market. In the main, most breeders have a real love for these wonderful cats and a desire to protect the breed by keeping their bloodline correct and their pedigrees true, also by trying to improve their own cat’s type by selective breeding of exceptional examples of the breed into their own cattery. Kittens can be adopted as pets or as show. Pricing for high quality bloodlines will vary from $1500-$3500.
When choosing a breeder to either purchase a kitten from or breed with a member of your Bengal family it is important to get to know the breeder, the way they treat their animals and how the kittens are raised. Don’t be afraid to ask us these questions! We are proud of our Cattery and the family environment in which we raise our kittens!
Asian Leopard Info
The Asian Leopard Cat (or ALC for short) is indigenous to the jungles and forests of India, China, and other parts of Asia. It is now known that there are about 10 different sub-species, that vary somewhat in size, length of coat, and coloring depending on the climate. Most of the Asian Leopards that we breed with domestics to get Bengals come from the Malaysia and Thailand area.
How did the Bengal get it’s name?
The first ALCs were discovered near the Bay of Bengal in India. Therefore, these cats were given the scientific name of “Felis Bengalensis” or (P. b. bengalensis). The name for the domestic breed, “Bengal” was derived from the taxonomic name of the Asian leopard cat “Bengalensis.”
Where did Bengals come from?
Bengal cats are Hybrid Cats, which is basically two different species of cats crossed together. The Bengal Cat was created by crossing the wild Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic cat together. Many breeders used an Egyptian Mau rather than a domestic cat because of it’s bone structure which closer resembles the Asian Leopard. Bengals that are four generations and beyond the original crossing of these two cats are considered completely domestic and very suitable as pets.
How big do Bengals get?
Bengals are generally medium in size compared to other breeds of cats. They are long and the males especially are very muscular. Adult Bengal males usually weigh 12-17 lbs while females are around 6-12 lbs.
How long do Bengal cats live?
Bengals are generally very healthy cats if you have bought from a reputable and registered breeder. The life expectancy for a Bengal cat is 12-16 years. There are factors that affect this such as type of food you feed your cat, whether the cat is kept inside or outside, and if you have proper check ups and shots for you kitty.
BENGAL PERSONALITY
Bengals are extremely intelligent cats who form strong bonds with their owners. They love to interact with their humans and are always found at the center of any family activity. The Bengal’s activity level is high, even more so as kittens. They love to play, run, and leap. They are great climbers and jumpers and very much appreciate a store bought or home made “cat tree” play center to climb on. This is not only fun for them but will provide you with hours of entertainment as well! They could at times be described as mischievous. Bengals are not a cat to be ignored. They sometimes demand a lot of attention, but they will always keep you entertained with their antics. They are are extremely affectionate, often described as having a “dog like” personality. They are easily trained because of their high intelligence level. Bengals can be trained to do any trick that a dog can do!
Many Bengals have a love of water and love to play in it or with it. They may scoop their water dishes with their paws, play in puddles, paw at a running sink, or follow their owners into the shower or bath tub. Bengals make fun, affectionate, wonderful pets and are great with children, dogs, and even other pets such as ferrets.
Who knew something so cute and small could be such a huge and important part of our lives?! The love and adventure that a Bengal brings to a home is hard to communicate! They are so different from the average lap kitty. With constant energy and athleticism, these beautiful creatures enrich our lives with entertainment, adventure and most of all they become our family!
The Bengal is admired for its beautiful and royally silky coat and their very outgoing, playful personalities. However these cats aren’t for any typical owners. Bengals are sharp-witted and sly animals that crave attention in addition to always exploring. you can rest assured that life with one will never be dull.
3 Kittens Available 