What is a snow lynx Bengal? is a rare and beautiful breed of domestic cat. It has an eye-catching coat pattern. This pattern comes from breeding an Asian Leopard cat with a Siamese.
The result is a cat with a creamy white background and blue eyes. It also has contrasting markings. These markings are barely visible at first but get darker as the cat grows up.
Snow Bengals are a part of the Bengal cat breed. This breed is known for its wild ancestors and special physical traits.
- What is a snow lynx Bengal? is a stunning and uncommon domestic cat breed with an eye-catching coat pattern.
- A Siamese cat and an Asian Leopard cat were crossed to create this cat, which has blue eyes, contrasting markings, and a creamy white backdrop.
- Often light or invisible at birth, the snow lynx’s pattern darkens with age.
- A subset of the wider Bengal cat breed, snow Bengals are distinguished by their distinct physical attributes and wild cat heritage.
- Snow Bengals weigh between 8 and 17 pounds, stand 13 to 16 inches tall, and live 10 to 16 years.1.
Snow Bengal Cat Genetics
The snow Bengal cat gets its cool look from special genes. These genes hide in some spots and only show up in the snow Bengal. This means it might not look snowy even if it carries these special genes. Breeding them takes time, often several generations, to get the snow Bengal look just right.2
Recessive Alleles
The snow Bengal’s look is a mix of different cat gene pools.2 It all started with a cat that was part albino and part Bengal. This mix gave us the first snow Bengal, known as the “seal lynxpoint”.2
Crossed Gene Pools
Early in the snow Bengal’s story, a special kind of cat was born. It happened when a Bengal cat and others mixed, and some brought special color genes.2 The first snow lynx Bengal had a white coat with spots and blue eyes, setting it apart from the rest.2
Seal Lynxpoint Origin
Snow Bengal cats come in three main styles. They have a unique genetic history that goes back to the 1970s.2 Back in 1993, certain snow Bengal colors were given top prizes in TICA’s shows. But, Bengals with strong Siamese-like color points are seen as not fitting the Bengal Standard.2
Snow Bengal Cat History and Origins
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the journey of seal mink and seal sepia snow Bengals began.2 Gene Johnson of Gogees Cattery and Bob Dundon of Nola Cattery mixed the Burmese cat gene with Bengals. This mix gave birth to the first seal sepia “snow leopard” with green eyes, Nola Kotton Pickin of Gogees.
Gogees and Nola Catteries
Gene Johnson of Gogees Cattery and Bob Dundon of Nola Cattery changed the game for snow Bengal cats.2 They pushed to get the seal lynx point, seal mink, and seal sepia colors recognized. All their efforts paid off in 1993, when these colors got Championship status from The International Cat Association (TICA).
Kotton Pickin – Foundational Snow Sire
Nola Kotton Pickin revolutionized the Bengal world, becoming the first seal sepia “snow leopard.”2 He had ancestors like Millwood Silk’n Cinders and Warhawk of Flyingwfarms. Thanks to Kotton, a whole new line of Bengal colors bloomed, including the snow Bengal variety.
Three Distinct Snow Bengal Colors
The3 snow Bengal coat comes in 3 unique colors: Seal Lynx, Seal Mink, and Seal Sepia.3 These three types bring a broad range of colors and patterns to Bengal cat lovers.
Lynx Point Tabby
The seal lynx point snow Bengal is the lightest variety. It boasts a creamy cappuccino coat and brown face markings.4 Seal Lynx Point (SLP) Bengals are the lightest of the snow types. They have striking ice blue eyes distinct in the Bengal world.4 Its darker facial, ear, and tail markings gradually appear over time.
Sepia Tabby
The seal sepia tabby snow Bengal, also known as the “brown snow Bengal,” showcases a creme or beige base with dark chocolate patterns.5 They are the darkest of the snow varieties, resembling snow leopards.5 Sepias feature gold/brown or green/hazel eyes and are unique with a black tail tip and brick red nose leather.
Their paws are black, and they have a white belly.
Mink Tabby
The seal mink tabby snow Bengal is often lighter than the sepia. Yet, it’s not as pale as the seal lynx point.4 People love Seal Mink Bengals for their burnt caramel patterns on a cream background. They typically have eye-catching aqua blue eyes.4 This type starts with a light coat and chocolate-colored markings that become darker with age. A snow mink Bengal’s eyes may range from aqua blue to gold. Its nose is usually a soft brownish pink.
What is a Snow Lynx Bengal?
What is a snow lynx Bengal? stands out as the lightest among snow Bengal colors. It comes from the Siamese gene, showing off a creamy white or cappuccino coat. This coat is adorned with brown markings.1 As kittens, they start light and get darker with age, all while keeping their striking blue eyes.3
Snow Lynx Point Bengal
What is a snow lynx Bengal? is cs/cs at heart. This means it gets the Siamese albino gene from both parents. And that’s why it looks so unique, with light colors and a pointed pattern, much like the Siamese.26
It has a beautiful coat, like cappuccino, with brown edges around the mouth. The face, ears, feet, and tail get dark first, then the rest of the coat follows.2 Its standard asks for the body markings’ color to match the point color closely.
When snow lynx Bengal kittens are born, they’re all white or have a faint pattern. Within their first 1-2 weeks, they start showing darker colors. But remember, if a lynx Bengal mates with another lynx Bengal, their offspring will also be lynx Bengals. And a lynx won’t have a sepia kitten, even if mates with a sepia.
Snow Mink Tabby Bengal
The snow mink Bengal gets its unique look from its parents. It has one Siamese/seal lynx gene and one Burmese/seal sepia gene.6 This makes it genetically cs/cb. So, a brown Bengal cat can’t carry the mink gene.
This Bengal has a lovely coat. It’s white or creme with chocolate-colored patterns. These patterns get darker as the cat grows up.6 A snow mink Bengal’s eyes can be aqua blue, greenish blue, or gold.
Snow Sepia Tabby Bengal
The snow sepia Bengal gets its look from both parents. It has two sepia genes, one from each side.7 The purpose was to make the snow Bengal’s colors stand out more.5
This Bengal is known as the “brown snow Bengal.” It has a soft, cream or beige fur with chocolate markings.7 Their eyes shine in gold or green. They also have a tiny black spot on their tail and a reddish nose. The bottom of their paws is white.7
At birth, snow sepia Bengal kittens show a sepia-brown design. Their eyes might be green or gold.7 Sepias can’t make a lynx pattern. When two sepia Bengals mate, their offspring will also be sepia.5
Other Bengal Characteristics
Bengal cats have unique color patterns. They also have soft, short fur and strong muscles. This makes them very athletic. They are great at jumping and keeping their balance.1 Normally, Bengal cats weigh from 6 to 15 pounds. Males are typically bigger, thanks to their muscle and energy.2
Intelligence and Energy
These cats are very smart and active. They need a lot of mental and physical activities. This keeps them happy and well.
Bengal cats love to play and have fun. Plus, they are very energetic and curious. You will always find them seeking attention.1 They are known for their high IQs, love of play, and strong bodies. Their beautiful coat shines in the sun.2
Glitter Gene
Bengal cats have a special “glitter” on their fur. This makes their coats shimmer in the light. It looks like their spots are blurry because of this “glitter”.2 This unique look is because of a special gene found in Bengal cats.2
FAQ
What is a snow lynx Bengal?
A snow lynx Bengal is a rare and stunning breed of cat. It comes from mixing an Asian Leopard cat with a Siamese cat. This mix gives the cat a beautiful creamy white background and blue eyes. It also has unique markings.
How do snow Bengals get their unique coloration?
To get their look, breeders mix different genes. This process takes a few generations. The result is the beautiful and rare snow Bengal cat.
What is the history of the Bengal snow cat?
These kitties date from the late eighties and early nineties.Breeders like Gene Johnson and Bob Dundon played key roles. They developed the snow Bengal’s colors and its standards.
What are the three distinct color variations of the snow Bengal cat?
The snow Bengal comes in three main colors. These are lynx point tabby, sepia tabby, and mink tabby. Each has its own unique look.
What is a snow lynx Bengal?
What is a snow lynx Bengal? is the lightest snow Bengal type. It has a coat that’s creamy white or cappuccino. Brown markings decorate its body. This cat gets its light color from a special Siamese gene.
What are the characteristics of the snow lynx Bengal?
The snow lynx Bengal stands out with its creamy cappuccino coat. It has brown edging around its mouth. The dark color begins on its face, ears, feet, and tail. The body markings match the point color closely. This cat follows Bengal’s strict color standards.
What are the characteristics of the snow mink Bengal?
What is a snow lynx Bengal? starts with a white or cream coat. Its chocolate-colored patterns get darker over time. It can have aqua blue, greenish blue, or gold eyes.
What are the characteristics of the snow sepia Bengal?
What is a snow lynx Bengal?is also known as the “brown snow Bengal.” It features a creme or beige coat with chocolate- colored patterns. This type has special eyes. They can be gold/brown or green/hazel. It’s details like a black tail tip and brick red nose add to its beauty. Their feet are black, and they have white undersides.
What other distinctive characteristics do Bengal cats have?
Bengal cats are famous for more than their looks. They have soft, short coats and strong, athletic bodies. These cats are smart and very active. They even have a unique “glitter” in their fur, thanks to a special gene.
