Bengals: Beloved worldwide, created by crossing Asian leopard cats with domestics in the '60s. Spotted or marbled coats, diverse colors. Stunning!
Bengals: Popular, unique voices, 500K-1.2M exist, 2K+ breeders. Prices $800-$4K+ based on quality, color, and location.
Bengal cat lifespan: 12-20 years (average 15). Oldest reported: 34 yrs. Domestic cats live longer, e.g., Creme Puff: 38 yrs. Females live ~2 yrs longer due to fewer health issues. Consider life cycle when choosing Bengal kitten.
Bengal kitten stage: rapid growth, vital learning phase, lasts a short time, sets foundation for the rest of their life.
Bengal kittens born blind & deaf, open eyes after 10-14 days. Litter avg. 3-4 kittens, some 9-10. Mother protects fiercely. Beware.
Kittens (4-6 weeks) learn from environment, play, teeth emerge, try food. Bengal kittens show food aggression from Asian leopard cat ancestors.
Bengal kittens: 6-12 weeks, fuzzy stage with black guard hairs for camouflage. Crucial time with mom to learn eating, litter, and social skills.
Bengal kittens reach adolescence at 12 weeks, grow and learn, reveal sleek coat. High energy, need playmate, can be destructive if bored.