ABOUT

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ABOUT

Magnificent and cuddly, this breed is a domestic

reproduction of a leopard. By Jean Mill

HAVE YOU EVER visited the zoo and longed

to caress and cuddle the magnificent wild

cats? The dream of owning one clashes with

reality: It is impractical, unwise and illegal to

keep a tiger or a leopard as a pet, but an

approximation of their beauty in miniature,

can be privately owned.

Domestic reproductions of leopards are called

Bengals. They are hybrid descendants of

crosses between the domestic cat (felis catus)

and the 10-pound wild leopard cat

(felis bengalensis) indigenous to the jungles

of Southeast Asia. Hybridizations between

different species of animals is controversial.

Due to environmental pressures, species are

being added to threatened and endangered

lists at a frightening rate, so those who argue

that existing gene pools must be kept pure

have a valid point, especially in regard to

certain species. In the plant kingdom, however,

we owe many of our most useful products to

deliberate crosses. Genetic pioneers such as

Luther Burbank have given us nectarines,

tangelos and disease-resistant grains.

The oldest animal hybrid is the mule

(donkey x horse). Natural crosses between

dogs and wolves, cattle and bison also have

occurred but are less well known. Most animals

prefer to mate with their own species, but

when separated from herds or packs, they may

choose unexpected mates. Remember the

moose that formed a much-publicized bond

with a cow in New England? In Malaysia,

leopard cats are more common than bobcats

are in this country, so it seems reasonably

safe to assume that hybridization between wild

and domestic cats occurs there naturally from

time to time, just as it does here.

A Little History

In 1963 I deliberately crossed leopard cats with

domestic cats for several important reasons.

At that time, wild cats were being exploited for

the fur market. Nursing female leopard cats

defending their nests were shot for their pelts,

and the cubs were shipped off to pet stores

worldwide. Unsuspecting cat lovers bought

them, unaware of the danger, their unpleasant

elimination habits and the unsuitability of

keeping wild cats as pets. Most of the wild

kittens from this era ended up in zoos or

escaped onto city streets. I hoped that by

putting a leopard coat on a domestic cat, the

pet trade could be safely satisfied. If

fashionable women could be dissuaded from

wearing furs that look like friends' pets, the

diminished demand would result in less

poaching of wild species.

A Dream Come True

Today Bengals are about the size of American

Shorthairs. They are known for their beautifully

spotted or marbled coats with high contrast

between the pattern and background colors.

Their colors come from the wild--black, brown

or rust on bright shades of tan, gold or

mahogany. Like its wild counterpart, an ivory

version of the Bengal is called a snow leopard.

The preferred pattern is leopard spots, not tabby

stripes, on legs and ribs. Ivory-to-white

undersides and small, rounded ears also are

desirable. Temperament is of primary concern,

both to breeders and to pet buyers. Modern-day,

carefully bred kittens have loving, outgoing

personalities. The instinctive suspicion of the

wild cat has been bred out through careful

selection. The two main things breeders look for

are sweet temperament and beautiful, wild

appearance. First-cross (F1) hybrids tend to be

shy, nervous, untouchable cats, much like their

wild fathers. Like mules and bison/cow hybrids,

first-generation hybrid Bengal males are

infertile, but their F1 sisters can reproduce.

In subsequent generations, males are fertile so

outcrosses to domestic cats are no longer

needed. In fact, they are undesirable because

breeding back to domestics dilutes the

precious wild inheritance.

Personality Traits

Well-bred Bengals are affectionate, purr

enthusiastically and are exceedingly intelligent,

a trait probably inherited from the wild cat's

natural selection for jungle survival. They use

the litter box, like to climb and run, and are

quick and curious about everything. Bengal

owners report that their cats retrieve, learn

parlor tricks and love water, sometimes coming

right into the tub to play with human toes.

Even as adults, Bengals are entertaining and

playful, but as in other breeds of domestic cats,

they vary greatly in appearance and behavior.

For example, most Abyssinians are loving and

calm, but a few are independent and aloof.

Some Abys are born with the perfect agouti

coat, while others show tabby markings. So it is

with Bengals. In general, skittish, fearful kittens

seldom become affectionate pets, but they may

bond to certain family members. Bengal kittens

often go through an ugly stage of grayness

between 2 and 6 months of age in which the

clearly contrasted markings are spoiled and

blurry. This muting is probably nature's way of

protecting the young; baby cheetahs go through

a similar fuzzy stage. Then, depending on the

seasons, the gray ticked coat falls out and the

rufous coloration returns, unless, of course, the

kitten was gray (tawny) at birth. All Bengals

must have a black tail tip, regardless of body

color. Blue, red and dilute colors are not

recognized Bengal colors, although Bengals

with Ocicat blood often produce them. Two

beautiful but rare coat types not described in

the standard are the snow leopard and the

marbled. Much like its wild cousin, the real

snow leopard, the Bengal color/pattern is ivory

with subtle, dark markings of equal intensity all

over the cat. The marbled has no counterpart

in the wild, and in captivity it no two marbled

Bengals are alike. The pattern may be sharply

defined patches of color; reminiscent of a

stained glass windows, or flowing, twisting

streams of clear color. Both of these patterns

are breathtaking and exciting because they

have never before been seen on domestic cats.

Fewer than 50 snow leopard and marbled

Bengals have been produced to date.

Buyer Beware

Anyone considering purchasing a Bengal from

a cattery beyond driving distance should

request photos of available cats and kittens to

confirm their beauty and uniqueness. Look

beyond the unusual markings for correct

conformation. Bengals should have heavy

whisker pads, full chins and rounded nostrils.

Small ears complete the "wild look" of the head.

A good Bengal body is deep and heavily

muscled. The legs are sturdy and the feet are large.

Prospective buyers should be aware of some

of the pitfalls that accompany skyrocketing

popularity: Unscrupulous breeders seeking to

cash in on high prices and the snob appeal of

owning a rare breed buy one Bengal male and

mate him to various domestic queens. The

resulting kittens are called Bengals but, aside

from being spotted, bear little resemblance to

the standard. In fact, some outcrossed kittens

touted as Bengals have nothing more than the

domestic classic tabby or pointed appearance,

much like kittens available at any animal shelter.

The best place to see a Bengal is at a cat show

affiliated with The International Cat Association.

At this time, the Cat Fanciers' Association and

the American Car Fanciers' Association exclude

cats with wild blood from their shows.

Before you buy a Bengal, request a pedigree

showing several generations of registered

Bengals without other breeds. In general, the

more TICA registered Bengals on the pedigree,

the better. For a list of responsible breeders

send a self addressed stamped envelope to

Leslie Hall, Secretary, International Bengal

Cat Society, 1547 Greenley Rd., Bakersfield,

California 93312.