Bengal cat facts for kids

ESSAY
BENGAL CATS

Written by: Nazarov Davlatbek

Bengal cat facts for kids

The Bengal cat is a breed of shorthaired domestic cat developed in the United States in the 1970s and ’80s by breeding an Asian leopard cat with a domesticated tabby cat. The name Bengal cat comes from Felis bengalensis, the scientific name of the Asian leopard cat. The Bengal cat’s leopard-patterned fur is thick and soft and consists of random rosettes of light spots within darker outer circles. The coat color varies, but shades of brown, silver, and gray are common. The ears are small and slightly pointed. The large, round eyes are golden, copper, green, or blue, depending on the coat color. The tail is long and tapering. The hind legs are shorter than the forelegs, a trait that makes the cat look like it is stalking when it walks. The adult Bengal cat usually weighs 8 to 15 pounds (3.5 to 7 kilograms) but can be heavier. It possesses the gentle temperament of its tabby forebear. The Bengal cat is rare and expensive.
Bengal cats have "wild-looking" markings, such as large spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly, and a body structure reminiscent of the leopard cat. A Bengal's rosetted spots occur only on the back and sides, with stripes elsewhere. The breed typically also features "mascara" (horizontal striping alongside the eyes), and foreleg striping. The eyes of a Bengal cat are relatively large and are usually bright blue or green.
Appearance
The Bengal cat is usually either classed as brown-spotted or snow-spotted (although there are more colours, brown and snow are the only colours of Bengal that the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (UK) recognise). Within brown Bengals, there are either marble or spotted markings. Included in the spotted variation is rosetted, which consists of a spot with a dark line surrounding it. Snow Bengals are also either marble or spotted, but are also divided into blue-eyed or any other colour eyes.
The International Cat Association recognizes several Bengal colours (brown, seal lynx point, mink, sepia, silver) and patterns (spotted and marbled) for competition and shows. In the New Traits class, other colours may be shown, as well as longhairs.
Temperament
After three generations from the original crossing, the breed usually acquires a gentle domestic cat temperament; however, for the typical pet owner, a Bengal cat kept as a pet should be at least four generations (F4) removed from the leopard cat. The so-called foundation cats from the first three filial generations of breeding (F1–F3) are usually reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment. Bengals are known for liking water, and require a large amount of attention to keep them happy. Bengals also enjoy playing, and have been recorded jumping over 4 feet from the ground.