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The '''Bengal cat''' is an attempt to create a domestic [[cat]] [[cat breed|breed]] with 'wild' characteristics and coloration, but a domestic [[temperament]]. They are large cats - a male may weigh as much as 15 lb (7 kg), and a female commonly weighs 8 to 10 lb (4 to 5 kg). The closer the cat is to their Asian Leopard ancestors, the larger it is likely to be. |
The '''Bengal cat''' is an attempt to create a domestic [[cat]] [[cat breed|breed]] with 'wild' characteristics and coloration, but a domestic [[temperament]]. They are large cats - a male may weigh as much as 15 lb (7 kg), and a female commonly weighs 8 to 10 lb (4 to 5 kg). The closer the cat is to their Asian Leopard ancestors, the larger it is likely to be. |
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Bengal cats are actually a [[hybrid]] between [[Asian leopard cat]]s and domestic felines - mainly [[Egyptian Mau]]s, [[American Shorthair]], [[Abyssinian (cat)|Abyssinian]], [[Ocicat]], and [[domestic shorthaired cat]]s, as well as later generation Bengal males. Bengal cats are labelled with an 'F' number to indicate how many generations they are removed from their wild ancestors. Kittens from an Asian Leopard Cat (crossed with a Bengal cat or domestic cat) would be called F1 Bengal cats, their offspring would then be called F2 Bengals and so on. Bengal cats from F1 to F3 are not allowed to be shown, due to their still semi-wild nature, although many F3 Bengal cats are very friendly. Asian Leopard cats or F1 and F2 Bengal cats may not be easily house-trained and need knowledgeable owners. They are often difficult to breed (F1 and F2 males are always infertile and F3 males are almost always infertile), with smaller litters. Consequently, when they are occasionally sold, they are much more expensive than later generation Bengal cats. |
Bengal cats are actually a [[hybrid]] between [[Asian leopard cat]]s and domestic felines - mainly [[Egyptian Mau]]s, [[American Shorthair]], [[Abyssinian (cat)|Abyssinian]], [[Ocicat]], and [[domestic shorthaired cat]]s, as well as later generation Bengal males. Bengal cats are labelled with an 'F' number to indicate how many generations they are removed from their wild ancestors. Kittens from an Asian Leopard Cat (crossed with a Bengal cat or domestic cat) would be called F1 Bengal cats, their offspring would then be called F2 Bengals and so on. Bengal cats from F1 to F3 are not allowed to be shown, due to their still semi-wild nature, although many F3 Bengal cats are very friendly. Asian Leopard cats or F1 and F2 Bengal cats may not be easily house-trained and need knowledgeable owners. They are often difficult to breed (F1 and F2 males are always infertile and F3 males are almost always infertile), with smaller litters. Consequently, when they are occasionally sold, they are much more expensive than later generation Bengal cats. A special breeders licence is needed to care for F1 bengal cats or for their Asian leopard cat parents. |
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Bengal cats have either spots or marbled patterns on their coats, and they are bred in both dark (ranging from gold through to rich browny russets) and light (silver, very pale grey and white) coat colours. Silver or 'snow' Bengals are a newer variation and therefore rarer and more valuable. |
Bengal cats have either spots or marbled patterns on their coats, and they are bred in both dark (ranging from gold through to rich browny russets) and light (silver, very pale grey and white) coat colours. Silver or 'snow' Bengals are a newer variation and therefore rarer and more valuable. |
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The Bengal cat is an attempt to create a domestic cat breed with 'wild' characteristics and coloration, but a domestic temperament. They are large cats - a male may weigh as much as 15 lb (7 kg), and a female commonly weighs 8 to 10 lb (4 to 5 kg). The closer the cat is to their Asian Leopard ancestors, the larger it is likely to be.
Bengal cats are actually a hybrid between Asian leopard cats and domestic felines - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats, as well as later generation Bengal males. Bengal cats are labelled with an 'F' number to indicate how many generations they are removed from their wild ancestors. Kittens from an Asian Leopard Cat (crossed with a Bengal cat or domestic cat) would be called F1 Bengal cats, their offspring would then be called F2 Bengals and so on. Bengal cats from F1 to F3 are not allowed to be shown, due to their still semi-wild nature, although many F3 Bengal cats are very friendly. Asian Leopard cats or F1 and F2 Bengal cats may not be easily house-trained and need knowledgeable owners. They are often difficult to breed (F1 and F2 males are always infertile and F3 males are almost always infertile), with smaller litters. Consequently, when they are occasionally sold, they are much more expensive than later generation Bengal cats. A special breeders licence is needed to care for F1 bengal cats or for their Asian leopard cat parents.
Bengal cats have either spots or marbled patterns on their coats, and they are bred in both dark (ranging from gold through to rich browny russets) and light (silver, very pale grey and white) coat colours. Silver or 'snow' Bengals are a newer variation and therefore rarer and more valuable.
Among the unique behavioral characteristics of Bengal cats is their love for water. Most Bengal owners have stories about their cat's affection for running water or even jumping in a sink or tub.
There is also a species of wild cat that is sometimes called Bengal Cat, but better known as the Leopard Cat
