The Bengal cat is a unique breed of spotted domestic cat. The name "Bengal" is derived from the Latin name of the Asian Leopard Cat, Feline Bengalensis. The domestic Bengal has inherited the exotic and stunningly wild spotted pattern from the Asian Leopard Cat, found in the wild all over central Asia. This beautiful breed of cat is very loving, affectionate and friendly whilst retaining the uniqueness of it's wild ancestors. The domestic Bengal is a medium to a relatively large shorthaired exotic cat. Bengals vary in size with the male between fourteen to twenty pounds and females slightly smaller at ten to twelve pounds. Bengals are very muscular cats with long bodies, thus appearing larger. They are also sturdy and substantial in appearance. Heads are wild looking and formidable. The face should have a feral expression with small rounded ears, intense facial markings, and pronounced whisker pads. Careful selection of breeding ensures that the Bengal remains loving and friendly with a superb temperament whilst retaining a strong physical resemblance to it's wild ancestor. The Bengal can be very mischievous and boisterous. They are active cats always ready to play. They are also very vocal, intelligent, loving and people oriented cats, always eager for human companionship and approval. Bengal owners find that they are very "dog-like" in personality, following you from room to room and always greeting you with a loving welcome. The Bengal also mixes well with children and other animals. These stunning cats will make a loyal companion for life. Bengal cats are different to other breeds these cats actually love and enjoy water. They will play for hours. So be aware of your childrens paddling pool as the cat will be in it more than the KIDS! Some people's opinion to Bengal Cats are that they are wild, quite the opposite I would say. They were bred from the crosses of the Asian Leopard and domestic cats. And, now they are extremely popular since they make good pets and have a beautiful leopard-like coat. The breed is said to be more domestic than wild, yet it has retained some of the habits peculiar for a wild animal such as climbing trees. . These are large cats that can reach the size of 15pounds. Females are usually smaller than males with the average weight being 8-10 pounds. They are robust rather than delicate and have a well-developed muscle structure. The legs should be slightly longer in the back than in the front. The feet are large and rounded. A broad head that may seem slightly small in proportion to the body characterizes the breed. The muzzle is broad and has prominent whiskers with high cheekbones. The Bengal cat has a very soft short to medium coat that is slightly longer in kittens. It is thick and luxurious and comes in various color patterns. Some Bengal cats may have a traditionally dark background color with stripes and spots. Others are called snows since the background color is creamy or pale white. It is desirable for Bengal Cats to have glitter.