Bengal Colors

The Bengal’s coat is distinguished by its texture and its "glitter." Indeed, the Bengal’s coat features a very short undercoat and very fine guard hairs that lie flat against the body, giving it an exceptionally soft, silk-like feel. The coat's glitter creates golden-flecked highlights.

 

The Bengal coat comes in several colors: - Brown - Snow - Silver - Blue - Melanistic

 

 

The Brown Bengal

Brown is the most common color for Bengals.

Shade: from beige to dark brown and from golden to orange

Coat background: as light as possible, with the blackest possible tabby markings

Eye color: gold to green

 

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The Snow Bengal Among Snow Bengals, three variations are distinguished:

The Snow Lynx (or Seal Lynx) Bengal:

Coloration: White at birth; spots appear gradually, influenced by the external temperature.

Coat background: Very pale ivory with light brown or gray markings.

Eye color: Azure blue.

 

The Snow Mink Bengal:

Coloration: White at birth; spots appear gradually.

Coat background: Ivory with light brown markings.

Eye color: Turquoise to blue.

 

The Snow Sepia Bengal:

Coloration: White at birth; spots are more intense/darker than in other Snow varieties.

Coat background: Ivory to cream with reddish-brown markings.

Eye color: Gold to green.

 

The Silver Bengal

Silver can be combined with other colors. Examples include Blue Silver, Silver Lynx, Silver Mink, Silver Sepia, etc.

Coloration: Silver.

Coat background: Silver—silvery-white hair base with dark gray and black markings. Eye color: Gold to green.

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The Blue Bengal

Blue can be combined with other colors; variations include Blue Silver, Blue Lynx, Blue Mink, and Blue Sepia.

Shade: Light gray to a bluish tone (varying in darkness)

Ground color: Light gray

Eye color: Gold to green

 

The Melanistic Bengal

The Melanistic Bengal is recognized by the LOOF but cannot be shown in exhibitions. Melanism is not a color itself; any Brown, Silver, Snow, or Blue cat can also be melanistic if it carries the *a/a* genes.

Shade: Black

Ground color: Appears solid but may show "ghost" markings

Eye color: Gold to green

 

The Charcoal Bengal

Charcoal is not a color in the strict sense; this characteristic type combines with other Bengal colors. Charcoal is represented by the *a/apb* genotype. The gene responsible for the Charcoal trait comes directly from the Bengal's ancestor, *Prionailurus bengalensis* (the Asian Leopard Cat). It creates a much darker mask-like appearance on the head and accentuates the contrast along the back and tail. This characteristic gives the Bengal an even wilder look and exceptional contrast, especially in Snow varieties.

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