About Us
We are a group dedicated to Bengal cats and educating those about the breed! We're new to the net but definitely not new to our favorite felines. Those of you interested in knowing more about Bengals can do so on this very page. Those looking for a reputable and trustworthy breeder can find several on our Breeders page. If you'd like to see our selection of available cats and kittens, you'll find them on the Marble and Leopard spotted pages.
A Little History on the Bengal
Originally called the Leopardette, the Bengal comes from crossing the domestic cat with the small, Asian Leopard.
In 1980 a geneticist named Dr. Willard Centerwall began working on a breeding program which involved crossing Leopard Cats with domestic cats. This was part of a study of Feline Leukemia. Several F1 ( F stands for Filial) hybrids were taken from this program and bred.
In 1982, a tailless feral domestic male with markings similar to that of the leopard was found. This cat had been living in a rhino enclosure at Delhi zoo. He was taken back to the United States and mated with the hybrids. Other domestic cats were used in the breeding program including Ocicats, Egyptian Maus, Abyssinians, Bombays, and British Shorthairs. In 1984, the Bengal gained official breed recognition.
A Bengal Description
Bengals are strong, intelligent cats who form close bonds with their owners. They eat normal cat food and use the litter box, just like other domestic breeds. Another interesting trait of the Bengal is their love of water, they play in puddles or in the shower. Bengals are unique in that they do not have fur like other cats, instead they have a pelt, making them extremely clean and soft. Their fur is comparable to that of a rabbit. This trait eliminates the cat dander found to cause allergies for many people as well. The Bengal also has what is known as the 'glitter gene' which can be seen when the cats fur shines in the sunlight. There are several different coat types and patterns unique to each cat. Some may be marble, spotted, rosette or a combination. Colors come in an extensive range from honey to blue to white, with various shades of brown as well.
