Bengals originated from crossing the small Asian Leopard cat to the domestic cat. Bengals are very happy, active, interactive and extremely intelligent cats. The Asian leopard cat is a very shy animal, but by the 4th generation you are assured of a very loving and outgoing cat.
They are considered a medium to large house cat. Females averaging 8-10lbs and males averaging 12-15lbs. The 'heaviness' comes in from the domestic cat because the leopard cat is small and long, built to climb trees and catch small prey. Like their wild ancestors they love to climb and romp.
Bengals can come in several different patterns and colours. The most commonly seen is the leopard spotted. Spots can be 1 or 2 colours, the 2 coloured ones are called rosettes. Another pattern is marble, a random pattern combining 2 or 3 colours. Background colours can range from ivory to a reddish tan. Colours can be brown tabby, seal lynx point, seal sepia tabby and seal mink tabby. Another interesting characteristic is 'glitter'. Some bengals have gold flecks through-out their pelt, looking as though someone threw a handful of gold dust in their fur. Although not all bengals have the 'glitter'. (And it came from the domestic cat, not the Asian leopard)
