Coat Colours 

The Bengal cat is a uniquely beautiful animal, having all the domestic cat attributes that cat lovers know and love, combined with spectacular patterns and colors that imitate their wild ancestors. Two major aspects differentiate modern Bengal Cats: their coat color and their coat markings. These colors and patterns can come in a large degree of variance and intensity, but the basic breed-recognized colors are brown, silver, and snow, and each of these colors can be patterned with either marbling, spots, or a combination of both.

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While a Bengal’s markings typically fall into two distinct categories—spotted and marbled—there is a wide variety within each pattern category that Bengals can display. Spotted variants were the first recognized pattern type, with marbled cats coming soon after.

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A spotted Bengal is the most popular and recognizable pattern variety, sometimes closely resembling baby leopards. The spots are usually small to medium-sized patterns scattered all over the cat’s coat, with large, dark spots on a light background being the most highly prized variation. These spots can appear in many colors and shapes, each with a distinct category described by breeders.

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• Single spotted. This is the simplest variation of spotted Bengal, but just as eye-catching. The pattern consists of small monochrome spots spread on a contrasting base coat without any gradient in color inside the pattern. The spots are similar to a cheetah in that there is no second color to the small spots, and they are usually a dark contrasting color, like dark grey, brown, or black.

• Cluster rosettes. Rosette patterns are spots that have two contrasting colors that are distinct from the base coat. Cluster rosettes are the least dramatic version, consisting of a center color that is darker than the base coat, punctuated by small clusters of even darker colored spots.

• Paw-print rosette. Similar to cluster rosettes, paw-print rosettes consist of dark spots edging one side of the second color but never enclosed. They resemble small paw prints strewn across the cat’s back.

• Clouded rosette. These rosettes are spaced close together and are large in size, with subtle signs of a second color around the edge.

• Doughnut rosette. This pattern is defined by spots surrounded by an even darker colored outline. This is one of the most popular spotted patterns, giving the cat a leopard-like appearance. They can also appear as what is known as pancake rosettes, which have thinner outlined rings than doughnut rosettes.

• Arrowhead rosette. Arrowheads are a fairly uncommon pattern that can be monochrome or outlined, with varying degrees of a rosette. They are triangular-shaped patterns that point toward the back of the Bengal and can vary significantly in size and density.

Marbled Bengal Cat

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The marbled pattern is a series of swirls and stripes that intermingle in a flowing, random pattern of two or more color variations. This patterning can come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, which are typically divided into four distinct categories by breeders.

• Horizontal Flowing. These markings are much like those seen on a Boa Constrictor, flowing horizontally along the cat’s spine.

• Reduced horizontal flow. Also known as “high-acreage,” this pattern has a high ratio of background to markings and is prized due to its close resemblance to wild cats.

• Sheeted flow. This pattern has a high ratio of markings to base coat, with little negative space. This can be especially prominent in some Bengal kittens, and it can take up to two years before the patterns properly “open up.”

• Chaos pattern. The chaos pattern lives up to its name and is a dramatic amalgamation of all of the above. It consists of chaotic swirls, flows, and colors, punctuated by occasional splashes of color and patterns.

 

Additional Bengal Cat Characteristics

If all that variation is not enough for you, there is more to the incredible Bengal Cat!

• Glitter. While not all Bengals have it, some have a shiny, glitter-like appearance to their coat. This sparkling, shimmering effect is eye-catching, to say the least, and is visible even in low light. This unique trait was first seen in cats among Bengal breeds, and although it is beautiful and dramatic in appearance, it has a simple explanation behind it. The “glitter” effect is caused by random translucent hair shafts in the cat’s coat. These shafts catch and reflect light, causing the hair to shimmer and shine.

• White Stomach. Breeders have long attempted to bring the characteristic white-spotted tummy of Asian Leopard Cats into the Bengal breed, but it is still exceedingly rare, and these cats are thus highly prized varieties.

• Long-haired Bengals. Some Bengals have long and silky coats, which are more commonly known as Cashmere Bengals. Because many domestic cats were used in the creation of the Bengal breed, this genetic trait is thought to come from one of these many crossings. Most cat registries do not recognize them, but some breeders have chosen to develop this trait further into the Cashmere variation.

• Primordial pouch. Another trait that comes from the Bengal’s wild ancestry is the primordial pouch, found in both males and females. It is located on the cat’s belly, with the appearance of a flap of loose skin hanging between the back legs. This pouch is often confused with a cat being overweight or lactating but has a few biological uses. Some speculate that it’s used to store extra food, facilitate movement due to its elasticity, and insulate the cat’s internal organs.

• Frosted phase. At around 3 weeks old, Bengal kittens will often go through a unique fuzzy growth stage, commonly referred to as the frosted phase or “uglies.” The kitten’s coat becomes fuzzy and messy in appearance, similar to what Asian Leopard kittens go through in the wild. This unique process is thought to enhance the kitten’s camouflage at this vulnerable stage. But don’t worry, it is usually gone by the time they are 3 months old!

 

Final Thoughts: Bengal Cat Colours

These unique and wild-looking cats have dramatic variations of color and patterns, resembling the wild ancestors they came from. Bengal cats are the gentle, domesticated versions of leopards, tigers, cheetahs, and jaguars, with almost all big cats being represented in miniature by Bengals.

The modern Bengal breed began in the early 1960s, thanks to Jean Mill, when she made the first deliberate cross of an Asian Leopard Cat with a black Tomcat. Although several other breeders contributed to the Bengal breed, Mill is widely considered the originator, as she successfully continued the breed past the fourth generation (F4). The International Cat Association (TICA) officially recognized the Bengal in 1983.

From glittered, spotted snow leopards to jet-black panthers, the Bengal breed really does have it all. With all the exotic blends and variations in color and patterns, it is a magnificent cat that truly has something for everyone.