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Himalayan
Tag: hybrid
Bengal Cats: Living Room Leopards
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Bengal cats are a popular but somewhat controversial designer breed. They are meant to look like little leopards without the dangers of having a wild cat in the house. Their coats are stunningly beautiful, and Bengal enthusiasts say they make delightful and unique pets. However, some people argue that Bengals are wilder than a pet should be because they are a hybrid breed. Today we’ll dive deep on this intriguing cat breed.
Neither Tigers, nor Leopards, nor Just Cats
The Bengal breed is credited to California breeder Jean Sudgen Mills, who crossed a female Asian Leopard Cat–a small, leopard-spotted wild cat–with a male black domestic shorthair in 1963 [2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15]. She was not the first to create this type of hybrid cat, however. The earliest mention was in 1889 by Harrison Weir in his book Our Cats and All at Them [13]. References to Asian Leopard Cat x Domestic Cat hybrids cropped up periodically over the next half-century [9, 13].
Contemporaneously with Jean Mills, Dr. Willard Centerwall bred these hybrid cats to study their genetics and immune systems [11, 13]. Mills used some of Centerwall’s cats to start a breeding program [11, 13]. Early Bengal breeders also incorporated Egyptian Maus and later added Siamese for more color variation [1, 5, 8, 11]. Mills and other early breeders experienced some challenges, including the unpleasant surprise that the hybrid toms were sterile [1, 15]. But the second generation was all fertile, and eventually there were enough Bengals that these days, most Bengals are bred from other Bengals [13, 15]. In fact, using Asian Leopard Cats in current breeding programs is typically discouraged [3].
Jean Mills petitioned persistently to have the Bengal recognized as a breed, and in 1983 The International Cat Society first accepted the Bengal as an experimental breed [11, 13, 15]. Today, six cat fancy registries accept Bengals, and they are a well-established global breed [11].
Many people think that the name Bengal comes from the Bengal tiger [1, 13]. There is even a myth that Bengal cats are descended from Bengal tigers, which would be impossible [6]. They are no more related to tigers than any other housecat [6]. The name comes from the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis [1, 5, 13, 15].
Bengal Cat Characteristics
Bengal cats are assigned a filial generation number (F1, F2, F3, F4….) depending upon how closely related they are to an Asian Leopard Cat [1, 9]. A F1 Bengal is the kitten of an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat [1, 9]. A F2 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat as a grandparent, a F3 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat great-grandparent, etc. [1, 9]. Bengal cats are considered domesticated from F4 on; only these can be registered and shown [2, 5, 6, 11, 13-15].
Appearance
Bengals are a medium-large breed, with the toms getting up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) [4, 9, 11, 14]. They have long, lean, muscular bodies [2, 4, 9, 11, 15]. Their long and powerful legs make them incredible jumpers and climbers [4, 5, 9]. They can jump up to six feet–straight up or across [5, 6]!
Of course, their stunning spotted coats are what Bengals are most known for. Bengals come in six basic colors, but the cat fancy only recognizes brown, snow, silver, and sometimes charcoal [1, 8, 11, 15]. Blue and black/melanistic are non-standard colors [1, 8].
Brown is the most common color, with markings that may be black, brown, or reddish-brown [4, 8]. Snow Bengals inherited the temperature-sensitive albinism trait from the Siamese and come in lynx, mink, and sepia varieties [2, 5, 8]. Silver Bengals are white or gray with black markings [8]. The smoky black charcoal trait in inherited independently of coat color, so Bengals of any color may have it in addition to their base color [8].
Blue comes from the dilute trait, which is also inherited independently of coat color [8]. These cats are a steely gray with darker gray-blue markings [8]. Some breeders are attempting to gain championship recognition for blue Bengals [8]. The black/melanistic Bengal looks like a black panther, with black markings nearly invisible on a black background [8].
Bengals can either be spotted or marbled [1, 2, 5, 8, 9]. Their spots can be simple dots or a variety of rosette patterns like those seen on leopards, ocelots, and other wild felids [1, 5, 8, 9, 15]. The marbled coat pattern consists of dark swirls all over the cat’s coat [1, 8]. Some Bengals have both patterns [8]. Bengals can have green, gold, or–in the case of snow Bengals–blue eyes [8, 11].
Personality
Bengals are extremely intelligent and extremely active cats [1-6, 9, 11, 14]. They need ways to keep their minds and bodies active because boredom leads to mischief [1, 5, 6, 9, 11]. These are not cats that do well in home where they will be left alone for long periods of time [3, 15]. They need lots of playtime and attention [3, 5, 9, 11, 15]. However, they are very trainable and often do well with learning to walk on a leash, so they are well-suited to active people who want a cat that’s as adventurous as they are [1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 15].
Additionally, Bengals are very affectionate [1-3, 9, 14, 15]. They tend to have a favorite person who they become attached to and will love forever [9]. If well-socialized as kittens, Bengals are typically good with dogs, children, and people in general [4, 5, 9, 14, 15]. They don’t always like other cats, however [1]. They can be quite territorial, so if you want a multi-cat household, it may be best to get a pair of Bengals who already know each other or introduce the Bengal to a house where other cats are already established [1]. Bengals do not tolerate change well and are prone to stress and problem behaviors if you don’t ease them into big changes [1, 3, 9].
A fun and unusual thing about Bengals is that most of them love water [1-6, 9, 11]! This comes from the Asian Leopard Cat which lives near rivers [4]. Bengals are known for playing with their water dishes, following their people into the bath or shower, and going swimming if they get half a chance [1, 4, 5, 6]. Providing water games can be a good way to keep your Bengal entertained–just be prepared to clean up the splashes after [1, 4, 9, 11].
Welcome to the Jungle
It is important that anyone adopting or purchasing a Bengal or other hybrid cat realize that they have different needs than the typical housecat [3, 6, 7, 14]. Because they are so smart and so energetic, Bengals need a lot of toys, things to climb, and interactive playtime, or they will become destructive [3, 5, 6, 9, 11]. Many Bengals enjoy running on wheels [3]. Also some Bengals don’t digest dry or grain-based cat food very well which is unpleasant for everyone [3, 15]. Bengal Rescue recommends feeding Bengals a grain-free wet food or raw food diet.
Bengals should be indoor-only cats, both because they are likely to be stolen and because they are particularly hazardous to local wildlife [1, 9, 14]. Bengals love the outdoors, though, so taking them for walks and/or providing a catio for outside time is a good idea [9, 14]. It really helps get some of their energy out.
Speaking of the Bengal’s high prey drive and excellent hunting skills, you have to be very careful about keeping small animals (birds, lizards, hamsters, etc.) in a home with a Bengal [1]. The cat doesn’t know those are pets, too; they just see prey. With their love for water, Bengals are especially interested in aquarium fish [1, 11]. So don’t let your Bengal near your smaller pets. Cat-proof extensively, more than you think you have to. These crafty kitties can get into places you wouldn’t expect.
F1-F3 Bengals, also known as Foundation Bengals, are more like wild animals than housecats [14]. The International Bengal Cat Society explains that “owning one of these cats is akin to owning a large parrot or an alligator as a pet” [14]. Only consider taking in one of these cats if you are prepared to make major adjustments [14].
Special Health Concerns
There is a myth that Bengals are immune to Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) [6, 11]. Asian Leopard Cats are immune, but Bengals did not inherit this trait and need immunizations for FeLV like all domestic cats [6, 11]. Bengal cats are also prone to a few illnesses. Bengals have an elevated risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common type of heart disease in cats [1, 2, 9, 15]. They can have some eye problems as well: progressive retinal atrophy, which causes premature blindness, and cataracts [1, 2, 9, 11, 15]. And there is a higher rate of Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency among Bengals [2, 15]. This metabolic disorder disrupts their red blood cells [2].
Responsible breeders will test their cats for genetic diseases [1, 15]. If you get a Bengal from a breeder, make sure to ask about their genetic testing policy, and have your veterinarian thoroughly examine your new cat for any signs of disease as well.
Bengals are more likely to be sensitive or allergic to anesthetics, so discuss this with your veterinarian if you have a Bengal who needs to be aestheticized for any procedure, including spay/neuter surgery [1, 9]. Allergic reactions to anesthetics can be fatal.
Why are Bengal cats illegal in some places?
Bengals and other hybrid cats are banned in some locations, including New York City and Hawaii [9, 10]. Restrictions in some places only apply to earlier generations of Bengals, i.e. F1-F3 [9]. There are several reasons for these regulations.
Bengals are considered particularly dangerous to native wildlife because of their high prey drive and superior hunting skills [10]. This is part of the reason they are not allowed in Hawaii [10], where the native birds have been severely depleted by invasive species, including domestic cats. The other concern in Hawaii is that cats can carry the parasite toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for Hawaiian monk seals [10]. That is true of all cats, though, not just Bengals.
Connecticut banned Bengal cats in 1996 citing concerns that the domestic cat rabies vaccine may not be effective for the hybrid breed [12]. Some places ban hybrid cats simply because regulators consider them wild animals [12]. There are also concerns that continuing to breed hybrid pet cats could put strain on populations of threatened wildcats, as some breeders continue to go back to the Asian Leopard Cat to make new lines of Bengals or to the Serval to make new lines of Savannahs [7].
If you are considering adding a Bengal cat to your family, check your local exotic pet regulations to make sure that they are permitted as pets in your area. And remember to always look at adopting first. Organizations like Bengal Rescue (Western US), Bengal Rescue Australia, Great Lakes Bengal Rescue (US), East Coast Bengal Rescue (US), and the Bengal Cat Association (UK) can help you find the living room leopard that’s meant for you.
Fun Facts
- The New Zealand Cat Fancy Registry also recognizes long-haired Bengals, also known as Cashmeres. [2]
- Bengals are low-shed and low-dander, so while not strictly hypoallergenic, some people with cat allergies find them easier to be around. [3]
- Some Bengals have a special trait called “glitter” which makes them sparkle or shimmer in the light. Glitter is caused by scattered colorless hairs throughout the coat that reflect light, giving the cat’s fur a glittery appearance. [2, 4, 5, 15]
- Bengals cost between $1,500 and $10,000 USD from a breeder, depending upon sex, generation, and color/pattern. F1 females and snow Bengals are the most expensive. Back in 1990, when Bengals were relatively new, a woman once paid $50,000 USD for one! [1, 5, 14]
Sources
- Avery, T. (2023, March 29). The joys and hazards of living with a pet Bengal cat. Pet Helpful. https://pethelpful.com/cats/The-Joys-and-Hazards-of-Living-with-a-Bengal-Cat
- Basepaws. (n.d.). Bengal cat. https://basepaws.com/a/cat-breeds/bengal-cat
- Bengal Rescue. (2023). Adopting your first Bengal? https://bengalrescue.org/resources/adopting-your-first/
- Bengals Ramazan. (n.d.). Features of the Bengal cat. https://www.gatobengali.com/bengal-cat-features.php
- Brody, K. (2017, April 2). 15 things you didn’t know about the Bengal cat. Yummy Pets. https://www.yummypets.com/mag/2017/04/02/97710/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-bengal-cat
- Great Lakes Bengal Rescue. (2015, November 7). What is a Bengal? https://www.greatlakesbengalrescue.com/whatis.html
- Horton, H. (2022, February 17). UK could ban part-wild hybrid cats after social media fuels boom in popularity. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/uk-could-ban-part-wild-hybrid-cats-after-social-media-fuels-boom-in-popularity
- Jaccard, L. (2018, January 6). Bengal cat coat: Colors and patterns. Bengal Cats. https://bengalcats.co/bengal-cat-colors-patterns/
- Jimerson, D. (2021, April 20). Bengal. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/bengal
- KHON 2. (2018, November 16). Exotic Bengal cats confiscated in Honolulu. https://www.khon2.com/local-news/exotic-bengal-cats-confiscated-in-honolulu/
- Kruzer, A. (2022, June 18). Bengal cats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/bengal-cats-1238154
- McCarthy, K. E. (2000, July 11). Bengal cat laws. Connecticut General Assembly. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/2000-R-0680.htm
- The Bengal Cats. (2019). What is the origin of the Bengal cat? https://www.thebengalcats.com/pages/what-is-the-origin-of-the-bengal-breed
- The International Bengal Cat Society. (n.d.). Bengals as pets. https://www.tibcs.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=902066&module_id=469648
- The International Cat Association. (2019, October 28). The Bengal breed. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=1521:the-bengal-breed&catid=48
Published August 28th, 2023
Savannah: Exotic Beauty
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I am going to be upfront–this article is as much a PSA as it is a breed profile. I do not support the breeding of hybrid cats, including the Savannah, and I will explain the reasons in the latter portion of the article. That being said, I do think everyone should have access to good information, whether it supports my opinion or not, and I have done my best to gather everything I could on these cats. I readily admit that it was a difficult process, as hybrid cats are very controversial, and there is a lot of contradictory information out there. If you know anything I have written to be demonstrably incorrect, please let me know.
Savannahs are a very new breed of cat, first created on April 7th, 1986 when a female kitten named Savannah was born to a successful mating of a female Siamese and a male serval. Servals are a species of African wild cat, significantly larger than a domestic cat but small as wild cats go. They’re pelts are typically golden yellow to beige with dark black spots, and Savannahs inherited a similar patterning as well as the exotic morphology of their wild parentage.
Since the first breeder of Savannah cats became established in the 1980s, they gained popularity quickly. The International Cat Association began registering Savannahs in 2001 and gave the breed championship status in 2012. The Cat Fanciers Association does not recognize any hybrid cat breeds (except the Bengal, which was grandfathered in), so Savannahs cannot be shown at CFA events. That has not slowed the breed down, however. For many people, the appeal lies in having a domestic pet that looks like a wild animal. And they certainly do look wild and beautiful.
Savannahs are about half the size of servals but are large for domestic cats. A Savannah that has a serval parent, known as an F1 (filial generation one), can reach 30 pounds (13.6 kg), but they get smaller with successive generations (F2, F3, etc.). After F1 the parents are all Savannahs or sometimes other domestic cats. The males are usually larger, but in the later generations, about F4+, the average size evens out to 12-18 pounds (5.4-8.2 kg). They look larger, however, because Savannahs are so tall and long. An F2 is 14-17 inches (35.6-43.2 cm) tall, with the height decreasing somewhat until F4. Savannahs are the tallest breed of cat. A Savannah holds the last two Guinness word records for tallest cat, at 19 inches (48.3 cm) and just over 19 inches. Non-hybrid cats are usually around 9 inches (22.9 cm) tall.
A breed standard Savannah has a pattern of spots similar to a serval, with rows of dark spots along their body and smaller spots on the head and extremities. They are permitted to come in four colors, but alternative colors and patterns are sometimes sold by breeders. The most common coat color is brown spotted tabby, which is most similar to the coloration of a serval. The base color of the coat is golden brown with black spots. The second most popular is silver spotted tabby, with a gray/silver base and black spots. Black and black smoke Savannahs may appear solid black from a distance, but they actually have darker black spots on a somewhat lighter base coat. Black smoke Savannahs have a white undercoat, giving them a bit of a smokey appearance.
Savannahs have large, almost bat-like ears, perched high on the head, like their serval parents. They also inherited light-colored ocelli marks on the back of these huge ears (see serval picture above). Ocelli marks, also called eye-spots, are found in many species, including some butterflies and fish as well as wild cats, and they are believed to be an adaptation to deceive predators. They may draw attention away from the real eyes or make the animal seem larger and more threatening. Tabby cats sometimes have these anyway, but they are characteristic of Savannahs. The large ears combine with a wedge-shaped head and long muzzle to really emphasize the jungle-cat look of Savannahs. Dark tear-stain markings around the eyes are reminiscent of wild cats as well.
The personality of Savannah cats is influenced by their filial generation. F1, F2, and F3 cats tend to exhibit more wild behaviors while F4 and later act more like typical domestic cats. In general, Savannah enthusiasts and breeders describe the breed’s personality as similar to that of a working dog. They are high-energy, very intelligent, and very affectionate. They are known for enjoying playing fetch and a propensity for learning tricks.
Savannahs tend to bond strongly with their people and want to be with them and involved in what they are doing at all times. Many Savannahs like water, so that can include bath time! Due to their activity level and intelligence, Savannahs can become bored easily and get into mischief if not provided with enough attention and stimulation. They love jumping and climbing, so they need enough space and appropriate surfaces for them to explore. These cats can jump up to eight feet (2.4 m) high, so keep that in mind when cat-proofing for them.
Whether or not Savannahs are generally healthy cats seems to be a matter of much debate. Some sources mentioned only a slightly higher risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease where thickening of the heart muscle can lead to heart failure. It was almost universally acknowledged that male Savannahs prior to F4 are usually sterile due to genetic incompatibility between domestic cats and servals, a phenomenon known as hybrid sterility. However, rescue organizations mentioned other health problems that they have come across, the most common being irritable bowel disease/chronic diarrhea. There are suggestions that raw diets or diets without corn may alleviate IBD in hybrid cats, but it’s unclear.
Savannah cats are a very expensive breed, with the cheapest going for around $1,000 (USD) but some fetching as much as $35,000. Lower-numbered filial generations, females, and rarer colors and patterns garner higher prices. Much of the hefty price tag is attributed to the difficulty of breeding savannahs. As mentioned earlier, servals and domestic cats are partially incompatible, leading to male hybrid sterility, among other problems. Even convincing the two parties to mate can be difficult. There are differences in behavior, and servals are much bigger and more aggressive. The servals often kill the domestic cats, perhaps seeing the smaller feline as food rather than a possible mate (1).
Even if physical and behavioral limitations do not get in the way, Savannah breedings are often unsuccessful. Many result in miscarriages or premature births (1). Servals have a gestation period of seventy-five days, but domestic cats have a gestation period of sixty-five days. Male servals are usually mated with female domestic cats to produce F1 Savannahs, so the kittens may be born small and/or underdeveloped (1).
You might think that someone who has spent that much money on a cat would never give it up, but Savannahs and other hybrid cats are frequently given up to animals shelters or wild cat rescues, or simply set loose. Animal shelters have started refusing to take hybrid cats due to liability concerns or because they doubt they can find homes for them. If they do take them, they may put them down immediately. Wild cat rescues are often the best hope for hybrid cats that owners want to surrender, but both Wild Cat Sanctuary and Big Cat Rescue say on their websites that they cannot accommodate the deluge of requests to take hybrid cats. Neither sanctuary takes surrendered hybrid pets, although WCS says they will consider F1 cats.
Why are so many Savannahs and other hybrid cats being abandoned? Some people have excellent experiences with their Savannahs. Unfortunately breeding a wild animal with a domesticated one does not always achieve the advertised wild look and domestic behavior. Genetics does not work that way, and so it is that Savannahs frequently exhibit wild cat behaviors as well as exotic looks.
One of the most common problems is spraying. This is a common problem with cats, but it is on another level with a cat that has wild genes. Wild cats have to mark miles of territory, and so Savannahs, even when neutered, male or female, may feel compelled to do the same, spraying all over the place, sometimes even on the people they consider theirs.
Savannahs can also be very destructive with tooth and claw, sometimes aggressively and sometimes in play. They tend to be biters, and with a cat that big that can be a serious issue. They also tend to scratch or chew up their environment as a wild cat would tend to do. Giving them plenty of exercise, walking them on a leash, or providing them with an outdoor enclosure (with a roof) to let off steam can help with destructive tendencies.
Aggressive tendencies may be more difficult to deal with. Savannahs can be very affectionate, but they usually bond to one or a few people, and even then they are sometimes unpredictable. Some Savannahs are very aggressive. Although they are marketed as getting along well with children and other pets, sometimes they do and sometimes they really, really don’t. They’re strong prey drive can be particularly troublesome if there are small pets in the house. That high intelligence may be directed toward learning how to open the hamster’s cage.
Savannahs of earlier filial generations tend to display more of these undesirable wild behaviors. For this reason, some breeders only sell cats of later generations, but that leaves the earlier ones in the lurch. We shouldn’t blame the cats for acting in ways we don’t appreciate. It is in their DNA, after all. Cats domesticated themselves thousands of years ago. A couple generations of breeding the domestic form to a wild animal cannot make a new domestic creature. Wild Cat Sanctuary suggests that anyone who has bought or adopted a savannah or other hybrid cat and regrets it try building an outdoor enclosure with a heated den (https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/education/species/hybrid-domestic/what-is-a-hybrid-domestic/). They keep their small wild cats and hybrids in the same set-up. This puts a Savannah in an environment where it can be as wild as it wants and cause no trouble.
If you would like a Savannah, whatever your reasons, I strongly recommend adopting one. As a rule, we should all adopt, not shop, but especially in this case. Buying these cats encourages breeding more, but adopting them gives homes to the many who have been abandoned without supporting the problematic Savannah breeding industry. Two organizations I came across during my research were Savannah Cat Rescue (http://svrescue.com/) and Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (https://www.purebredcatrescue.org/). There are probably others, and you could always try contacting your local animal shelter and letting them know of your interest. Make sure to look up your local regulations on exotic pets first, because some places have bans or restrictions on savannahs.
Works Cited
- Seder, R.A. (2017). AAFP position statement: Hybrid cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 19(3), 312-313.
Published March 21st, 2020
Updated March 12th, 2021
