Photo: Lightburst · CC BY-SA 4.0 cat breed · 135 on Animalso
Bengal cat
- Animal
- Cat
- Origin
- United States
- Weight
- 3.5 kg
About the Bengal cat
The Bengal cat is a hybrid cat breed developed in the United States by crossbreeding an Asian leopard cat with domestic cats, especially the spotted tabby Egyptian Mau. Bengals are considered medium to large cats and can have varied appearances. Their tabby coats may show domestic-style spots, hybrid rosettes, arrowhead markings, or marbling. These patterns give the breed a range of looks while retaining its hybrid-cat identity. Bengal cats are selectively bred, and the breed is pedigree registered with most major cat registries. The name Bengal comes from the leopard cat’s taxonomic name. A listed weight value of 3.5 accompanies this entry, without a stated unit. Bengal is classified as a cat and as a hybrid cat type, with United States origins. Its combination of leopard-cat ancestry, domestic-cat breeding, and patterned coats defines the breed.
What stands out
- Hybrid cat breed
- Distinctive rosettes, spots, or marbling
- Selective breeding programs
- Pedigree registered with major registries
- Medium to large breed
Worth knowing
- Appearance varies within the breed
- Developed from Asian leopard cat crossbreeding
Who it suits
The Bengal cat suits readers interested in hybrid cat breeds, patterned coats, and pedigree registration. Its medium-to-large size classification may help with basic breed research.
In short
Bengal cats are selectively bred hybrids known for varied tabby patterns and leopard-cat ancestry. Their appearance can range from spots to rosettes, arrowheads, and marbling.
More cat breeds from United States
Bombay United States Photo: Bombaykatze · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Himalayan United States Photo: Cindy See · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo credits9 photographs on this page
- Bengal cat — Lightburst · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- American Bobtail — torbakhopper · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- American burmese — Валерий Синицын · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Curl — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Wirehair — Heikki Siltala · CC BY 3.0 · file page
- Bombay — Bombaykatze · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Exotic Shorthair — Dmitry Brant · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Highlander cat — TAnthony · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Himalayan — Cindy See · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.