BEFORE YOU CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE BENGAL CAT,

YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ITS ANCESTRY.

THE ASIAN LEOPARD CAT

WITHOUT THE ASIAN LEOPARD CAT THERE WOULD BE NO BENGALS.

BENGAL CATS ARE AMONG THE NEWEST BREED TO BE DEVELOPED

THE 1ST GENERATION OF THE BENGAL CATS WERE HYBRIDS

(PARENTS WERE FROM TWO DIFFRERNT SPECIES.)

There are several subspecies of Asian Leopard Cats ranging from the small 4-6 pound cats of the Philippines to the 10-12 pound cats found in the colder mountain forests of Manchuria. 

These subspecies also vary somewhat in color and pattern. For example, the Bornean leopard cats tend to have a reddish hue while the Manchurian leopard cats are grayer with thicker fur. 

The general build of an Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) is similar to a normal domestic cat, but with somewhat longer legs and a longer back. They have a relatively small head with a short narrow muzzle, large eyes (because of their nocturnal habits) and a thick tail of about 11 to 14 inches length. Body length varies between 25 to 32 inches, and they weigh between 7 to 15 pounds. Size and weight vary between subspecies in different geographical regions, but the males are generally heavier than the females.  They are expert swimmers and very active climbers.Leopard cats are generally nocturnal. They prey upon rodents and other small mammals as well as birds. 

Despite its name, the Asian Leopard Cat is not restricted to southern Asia, but can be found across India, through China, Korea and the Soviet Far East. It can also be found on islands such as Sumatra, Philippines, Taiwan, Borneo, Bali and Java. Naturally, the widespread habitat of the Asian Leopard has led to many different names, such as the Javan cat, Wagati cat, Chinese cat or "money cat", so called because the spots resembled Chinese coins.

Of the small cats, Felis bengalensis (which how the Bengal cat got its name) is probably one of the most common and widespread, and most authorities do not consider it to be in imminent danger of extinction. However, the destruction of its habitat by rapidly expanding human populations, deforestation, farming, and soil erosion, all remain threats to the wild cat populations. The Asian Leopard Cat has therefore been placed on Appendix II of the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and its trade is regulated as an endangered species.

 

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