One day, Jane Mill, a biologist from America, decided to tie a wild Bengal cat with an ordinary domestic cat. So in the 60s of the 20th century the first kitten-hybrid of spotted color was born.
It is worth noting that the breeding of a new breed was given to the biologist very hard - the first offspring died, the male hybrids suffered from infertility, and wild cats reluctantly agreed to mating with small domestic cats. However, Jane Mill knew the basics of genetics, which helped her to succeed and bring out a new breed, which in 1987 was presented at the exhibition. Since then, it is believed that the Bengal leopard cat lags behind its wild relatives for no less than four generations.
Bengal cat: description of the breed
The Bengal cat has a long and muscular body. Paws are sturdy, the back is slightly longer than the forelegs, which makes it very fast. The tail is long, with a rounded tip. The head is small in comparison with the body. If you look in profile - the ears of the cat are directed forward. They are short, broad at the base and rounded at the tips. The head of a Bengal cat sits on a rather long and strong neck.
Each thoroughbred Bengali kitten carries the genes of leopard ancestors, therefore it has sharpened hunting instincts. He easily agrees to games where there is an element of hunting. At such times, with their color, cats resemble real wild hunters.
Bengal cat is very fond of water procedures. So much that can take with the owner of the shower. Kittens often wear toys in a bowl of water, and an open aquarium is generally of special interest to them.
Kittens of Bengali breed should be accustomed to birth from birth. Despite some similarities with the wild animal, the Bengal domestic cat is not aggressive. She does not attack children.
Colors of Bengal cats
The coat of the Bengal cat has a spotted tabby color, which is especially reminiscent of a wild cat. Most often there is an outlet on gold (black spots on a light brown or golden background) and marble color (broad marble divorces on the sides mature up to two years). Seldom are the colors of the silver tabby (coal or black spots on a silvery white background), snow spotted (black rosette on a white background, like a snow leopard), charcoal (dark-gray background black-brown spots) and others approval of the standard.
Bengal cats mating
Bengal cats are not very prolific, in the litter, most often three or four kittens. This partly explains the rarity of the breed, as well as high prices for it. Unlike cats that develop rapidly, cats grow up slowly enough. They become mature not earlier than a year old and after that give birth to the first kittens.
Care for a Bengal cat
Bengal cat does not create problems for caring. It should be treated like any other. It is also fed and vaccinated. In the diet should definitely include raw and boiled meat. Give your pet cottage cheese, rich soup with vegetables, once a week, egg yolks, if necessary - then vitamins. Especially vitamins are needed for kittens of Bengal cat.
The wool of Bengal is short and smooth, so it should not be washed and combed often. This greatly facilitates the care of the Bengal cat. Her fur always remains shiny and thick without additional procedures, but during moult it is desirable to comb the cat thoroughly.
From the wild ancestors Bengal got long claws, which it is better to regularly cut. To the cat does not spoil the furniture, carpets and wallpaper, she needs to do a scratching. It should be taken into account that the body of Bengals is large and long, so place the scribe high enough.