#Bengal Cat

[copperbora]

Despite being still fairly feral at thirteen years strong, my boy Casper the orange tabby floof displays multiple traits of domestication: bold white markings, long exquisitely soft hair, and an orange coat which would only ever rarely ever occur in the wild. Also, allergies.

There Was Another Domestic Cat!

I hate that I'm only now in 2024 learning about this rad 2016 cat science find (frustrating that it wasn't more publicized,); there's evidence in China that there was once a second species of domestic cat, Prionailurus bengalensis, or the Asian Leopard Cat. Fellow cat nerds will recognize that this is the same wild species that was hybridized with the domestic cat to produce the famously active and beautiful breed known as the bengal cat, however these ancient domestic cats evidenced in the study share no relation to the modern bengal. Modern domestic cats notably descend from the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica.)

The evidence of the domesticated version of the Asian Leopard cat is primarily wear patterns on teeth still connected to jaw bones found in China which do not show up in fully wild kitties. This basically means that these domestic cats were eating a diet which their wild brethren do not consume.

To me, the idea of a second ancient species of domestic cat is extremely intriguing and I will most definitely need to draw a concept if what these cats would have looked like with the calling card bold white markings and other domestic traits which inevitably appear in domesticated animals, as shown in the Russian Silver Fox Project which eventually produced completely domesticated foxes. It would also be very interesting scientifically to see the full ancient domestication of the Asian Leopard Cat reproduced although with thousands of modern domestic kitties in need of homes this experiment is likely never going to happen (which is for the better with so many far more suitable modern purr machines available for adoption.)

Domestication of modern domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus/Felis catus) likely took place on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus some 10,800 years ago with the cats quickly spreading to Egypt and China where they became beloved fixtures of temples, homes and palaces. Today thanks to artificial selection these kitties exist in miriad beautiful breeds and coat patterns but more importantly, modern kitties are noble, affectionate, and extremely social companions of the educated, responsible human household.

My three year old blue tuxedo cat Keplar, who spends his days playing, following me around everywhere that he can (getting very frustrated when he cannot,) chatting with me, and snuggling with his thirteen year old unrelated fluffy orange tabby brother, Casper. With a dilute gene turningwhat would've been a melanistic coat grey and bold white markings which are found only in domesticated animals, Keplar is an excellent representative of the modern domestic cat.

[meowsfeed]

Source: akita_and_bengal

[tinababeh]

I’ve been completely absorbed with my new Bengal kitten this last week (and always) 🥹

I feel so bad that I’m leaving to Vegas today till Monday, but I have a cat sitter for him and Eros. This is Echo (his name is still being decided though😆).

My heart 🥲😻💓

He’s a cuddle baby and just the absolute best 🥲🥹

[catsbeaversandducks]

"Just spent a half an hour looking everywhere in my house for my cat. I thought she snuck out on me but no, she sat there the whole time and watched me look for her. Oh my gosh, they can be a pain in the butt, but gotta love them."

By Crystal Brethour 

[littlekittybabies]

happy national cat day from the circus!!!

[haley-design]

Happy (late) birthday Max Katstappen 🎂

[plushieanimals]

me after a productive day of sitting at my computer surfing the web and playing minecraft

[fluyorkcity]

[vangoghcore]

by swiss_bengal

[stone5251]

One of the only things I miss about my ex is their kitten and dogs

Look at these little assholes, the kitten bites toes, the small dog acts like he has rabies and the big dog is an attention whore, I miss these assholes

[seriouslydontaskwhy]

Guess who finally made a normal art instead of goofy doodles.... ME.

SO HERE YOU GO EVERYONE!! IT FEELS LIKE ETERNITY SINCE LAST POST..

(yall can drop art ideas in the comments btw)

[tinababeh]

[yvestually]

🥝 🍓 🍊 🍎 🍐

i 🍎 NERDS 🤓

[skyscratch-wc]

Bengal firestar for the prompt?

[catafyra]

Rough Leopardstar sketch