The Bengal Cat breed resulted from an effort to combine the markings of a wild Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) with the temperament of the domestic cat (Felis catus). Although wild/domestic crosses have occurred sporadically for hundreds of years, the first deliberate effort occurred in 1963 by a geneticist working in the United States. A female Leopard Cat and a male domestic cat were deliberately cross-bred; producing a varied litter. One of the littered kittens then mated with her father which in turn produced a spotted litter and solid kittens. First generation crosses are called F1's and are wild. They eat raw meat and will not use a litter box. As the generations progressed, however, the Bengals became more tame and can be handled safely. They eat regular cat food and will use a litter box. Note, however, the F1's at WildLife On Easy Street will use a litter box no matter what the outcross; they are identical.
    The Bengal Cat has large spots on its coat that line up in horizontal rows, giving the coat a distinct appearance. It comes in all variations of brown, yellow, buff, tan, golden, or orange ground colors.
    Today the size of the Bengal is about the size of an American Shorthair cat. A well-bred Bengal has an affectionate, purr enthusiastic personality and are intelligent.