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Bengal cats are not necessarily blue because the gene that gives Blue Bengal Cats a blue color is recessive, which means both parents should carry the blue gene to produce blue litter. Bengal cats with blue eyes have a gentle appearance because their colors are less bold. They have a soft, powdery blue shade with a steel blue background. The contrast between their coat color and marking is more subtle.
Blue Bengals are also called blue snows or blue silvers. Their eyes vary from green to gold and blue, and if they are blue snow Bengals, they are an intermixed breed of wild Asian Leopard and domestic cats. They give a wild look but are friendly like housecats do. Let’s learn more about their facts, origin, and history.
History and the Earliest Records of Blue Bengal Cats
Back in the 1970s, in Yuma, Arizona, Jean Sugden Mill wanted a cat that had a wild appearance but was domestic. For this purpose, she bred Asian Leopard Cats with domestic cats and got a Bengal cat perfected as she desired. She named the Blue black Bengal cats after their ancestor’s scientific name (Felis bengalensis) the Asian Leopard cat. Hence, Blue Bengal cats originate from Arizona.
Blue Bengals, among other Bengal varieties, stand out due to their color coat shade from a recessive gene. They have the same personality traits and appearance as other Bengals except for their color. Blue Bengal cats are expensive because they are rare; the recessive blue gene causes scarcity in their breeding population and makes them unique while pricey.
How Blue Bengals Were Recognized Formally?
Blue Bengal cats are not formally recognized as a breed. The blue litter of Bengals only appears in the litter if both parents carry the recessive blue coat gene, even if they are not blue themselves.
Bengals gradually gained recognition and acceptance in the cat community. The International Cat Association (TICA) acknowledged them in 1986 and granted them championship status in 1991.
Today, Bengals are one of the most frequently registered breeds in TICA. In 2016, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) also accepted Bengals and put them in the miscellaneous breed category.
7 Interesting Facts About Blue Bengal Cats
The fascinating facts about the Bengal Blue cats are:
- Bengal cats were initially known as Safari Cats until the 1970s. Later, they got their name from the Asian Leopard Cat.
- Bengal Silver Bengal cats are called the Rolls Royce of cats because they have a hefty price tag. A Bengal kitten costs between $500 and $3,000.
- Unlike lazy housecats, Bengals are known for their high energy levels. They love attention and explore their surroundings by climbing and wandering around. These athletic abilities are the courtesy of their Asian Leopard descendants.
- Bengals are unique among other cats because they are fond of water. They aren’t afraid to get wet and even join you in the shower. They have muscular, solid buildup and are curious by nature.
- Bengals come in various colors, such as golden, rust, orange, sand, blue, grey, and ivory. Their coats have spots of different colors, such as rust, chocolate, and black. Their coats sparkle in the sunlight, giving them a dusted, glittery look.
- Bengal Blue cats are playful. Due to their intelligence and agility, they interact with different toys and learn games fast. Blue Bengal kittens also learn commands quickly and possess problem-solving abilities.
- Bengals are not shy and express themselves vocally. Sometimes, they remain quiet but meow often and communicate with their owners when they need something.
How Blue Bengals Gained Popularity?
Bengal Cat Blue gained popularity through a long journey of breeding and refinement. The first litter appeared in the mating of Asian leopards, and domestic cats were too wild. After successive fourth breeding efforts, they developed domesticated traits. People started to adopt them as their wilderness was over.
Blue Bengals’ shades and attractiveness are the result of a recessive gene. Due to their rarity and uniqueness, it’s challenging to find a Blue Bengal cat. Many Blue Bengals are reserved even before birth, which shows their desirability among cat enthusiasts.
Also Read: Silver Bengal Cat – Breed Info With Pictures
Does a Blue Bengal Cat Make a Good Pet?
Blue Bengal Cats make lovely pets for the loving and affectionate owner. They enjoy human companionship and love to be around the people they know. They are not cuddly cats, which means you can have them if you are a working person and do not have much time to cuddle them. However, they are attention seekers and do not like being left alone for long. They need their owners to play with them and engage them in mental stimulatory games, tricks, and other rewarding experiences.
Blue Bengals possess high energy and play with kids and their humans while being gentle with them. They are affectionate, caring, and social cats that can fill your home and hearts with love and gratitude. In short, blue Bengal kittens will be a unique addition to your family as a pet.
Conclusion
Blue Bengals are domestic cats with wild cat appearance and low maintenance. They are easy to care for and make good pets for a family seeking affection and companionship of a pet. However, due to the rarity of Bengal blue colored cats, they come at high prices in the market. The average Blue Bengal cat price is $2000, but once you get a Blue Bengal, you will feel loved, valued, and cared for by your Bengal Blue cat.
