Snow Bengal Kittens

A Snow Bengal cat’s coat is a stunning display of nature’s artistry. Set against a light-colored background ranging from nearly white to cream, ivory, or light tan, these cats boast striking dark markings that can be either spotted or marbled. The pattern’s intensity varies among the three types of Snow Bengal: Lynx, Mink, and Sepia. Due to temperature-sensitive genes, these markings are often more pronounced on the cat’s extremities – face, ears, legs, and tail. Reminiscent of a snow leopard, Snow Bengals have striking contrast between the pale base coat and the dark markings. Each Snow Bengal’s exact coloration and pattern are unique, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind feline.

The “snow” in Snow Bengal cats is not a true color, but rather an effect caused by modification of how color is expressed in the cat’s coat. This means it can be combined with other coat effects, patterns, and colors. On brown Bengals, it produces the classic “snow” appearance; on red Bengals, it yields a “flaming” hue; on melanistic Bengals, it manifests as a “solid” effect; and on silver Bengals, it results in a striking icy-silver coloration. This versatility in combination with various base colors further enhances the Snow Bengal’s unique and captivating appearance.

Snow Lynx Bengal

The Snow Lynx Bengal is the lightest colored of the three types. They are typically born completely white or with barely perceptible markings, gradually developing a brownish-gray or tan pattern against a white or cream background as they mature. The most striking feature of the Snow Lynx Bengal is their ice-blue eyes, a trait highly prized among Bengal enthusiasts.

Snow Mink Bengal

The Snow Mink Bengal represents an intermediate coloration between the Lynx and Sepia types. Unlike the Snow Lynx Bengal, Snow Mink kittens are born with a visible pattern that tends to darken as they grow. Their coats feature an ivory or cream background overlaid with an almost caramel-toned pattern, creating a rich, warm appearance. Mink Bengals typically have aqua-green eyes, though some may have gold eyes.

Snow Sepia Bengal

The Snow Sepia Bengal is the darkest of the three Snow Bengal types. Like the Snow Mink Bengal, Snow Sepia Kittens are born with a distinctive pattern ranging from brown to dark brown. Their eyes are typically golden or green. The Sepia Bengal bears the closest resemblance to actual snow leopards. The gray-yellow base tone of their coat provides excellent camouflage among rocks in their natural habitat when not covered in snow, mirroring the adaptation of their wild counterparts.

History of the Snow Bengal: Snow in the Jungle

The story of the Snow Bengal begins with the early days of Bengal cat breeding. In the 1960s and 1970s, as breeders were working to develop the Bengal breed by crossing Asian Leopard Cats with domestic cats, they occasionally noticed something interesting: some kittens were born completely white, without a visible pattern. These kittens, which retained their blue eyes into adulthood and developed markings as they grew older, became known as Snow Lynx Bengals. This variation likely came from some of the domestic cats in the breeding program carrying the colorpoint gene associated with Siamese cats.

Fast forward to the late 1980s. The Bengal breed was progressing, but breeders faced a challenge: their gene pool was dangerously small. A breeder, Gene Johnson of Gogees cattery, decided to try something new to address this issue. She had a Bengal named Warhawk of Flyingwfarms, who was known for being the first “glittered” Bengal shown in early cat shows. In a bold move, they bred Warhawk to a sable Burmese cat. This experimental breeding was aimed at introducing new genetic diversity into the Bengal breed.

The real magic happened in the second generation of this cross. On March 9, 1990, a very special kitten was born: Nola Kotton Pickin of Gogees. This kitten wasn’t like the other snow Bengals. His eyes weren’t blue, but a striking green, and his coat had a unique sepia tone. Kotton Pickin was the first Snow Sepia Bengal, and he was about to change everything.

As Kotton Pickin grew, so did his legacy. He became the foundation sire of two new types of Snow Bengals: the Mink and the Sepia. These were genetically distinct from the earlier Snow Lynx, offering breeders new possibilities. The Gogees cattery tirelessly championed these Bengals, striving to gain recognition from cat associations. Their journey spanned years, showing their Snow Bengals at exhibitions, articulating their vision, and meticulously refining breed standards. Their efforts paid off in 1993 when TICA (The International Cat Association) granted championship status to Seal Lynx Point, Seal Mink, and Seal Sepia.

The Snow Bengals’ journey wasn’t over yet. Widespread recognition culminated in a significant milestone in 2016 when The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), accepted Bengals for registration. The Bengals’ exceptional quality and popularity propelled them to championship status in CFA just two years later, in 2018. In a testament to the Snow Bengal’s particular appeal, Sonoitas Bluewizardalatar of Karion, a Snow Mink Bengal, etched his name in feline history by becoming the first Bengal ever to achieve the coveted grand champion title from CFA. This remarkable achievement symbolized the Snow Bengal’s full acceptance into the cat world.

Today, most Mink and Sepia Snow Bengals can trace their lineage back to Kotton Pickin. These cats, with their snow-like coats and wild patterns, showcase the dedication of breeders and the enduring appeal of these unique felines.The Snow Bengal’s journey stands as a testament to what can happen when we dare to dream of snow in the jungle.

Snow bengal genetics

The “snow” effect in Bengal cats is caused by variations in the Colorpoint Restriction gene, also known as the C locus or TYR gene. This gene is responsible for the temperature-sensitive enzyme that produces pigment, leading to the distinctive Snow Bengal appearance. This phenomenon, known as partial albinism, results in temperature-dependent pigmentation. The enzyme responsible for melanin production functions optimally only at cooler temperatures, typically below body temperature. Consequently, the cooler extremities of the cat – such as the ears, face, paws, and tail – develop darker coloration, while the warmer areas of the body remain lighter, creating “points”. Interestingly, the coat color of snow Bengals can vary slightly with changes in environmental temperature. In colder climates or during winter months, their coats may appear darker overall, while in warmer conditions or summer months, they might look lighter.

There are three main alleles involved in Snow Bengal genetics: C (wild type, full color), cb (Burmese allele), and cs (Siamese gene). These alleles combine to create three distinct types of Snow Bengals, each with its own genetic makeup and appearance. The Lynx Point (cs/cs) is the lightest, born almost white and developing Markings later, always with blue eyes. The Mink (cb/cs) has an intermediate coloration, is born with a visible pattern, and usually has aqua-green eyes. The Sepia (cb/cb) is the darkest of the snow colorations, born with a visible pattern and typically having gold or green eyes.

The snow allele in Bengal cats follows a recessive inheritance pattern compared to the dominant full-color allele (C). Consequently, a Bengal cat can carry the snow gene without being a snow. For snow kittens to be born, both parents must have at least one copy of the snow allele. This means that two non-snow parents could produce Snow Bengal kittens. Interestingly, when two Mink Bengals (cb/cs) mate, their litter can potentially include all three Snow Bengal variations: Lynx (cs/cs), Mink (cb/cs), and Sepia (cb/cb).

Genetic testing for snow coloration in Bengal cats has become an essential tool for breeders and enthusiasts. This testing focuses on identifying mutations in the Tyrosinase (TYR) gene, which is responsible for melanin production. The test can determine whether a cat carries the wild type, full color allele (C), Burmese allele (cb) or Siamese allele (cs). By analyzing these genetic markers, breeders can accurately predict the likelihood of producing snow Bengal cats. This genetic information allows for more informed breeding decisions, helps in understanding the inheritance patterns of these traits, and enables breeders to work towards specific color goals in their lines.

Snow Bengal Cats for Sale at Pet Perfect Bengals

We invite you to experience the charm of Snow Bengal cats. As a TICA and CFA registered cattery, Pet Perfect Bengals specializes in raising exquisite, well-socialized kittens in a loving home environment. Through comprehensive health screenings and personality assessments, we carefully match each Snow Bengal kitten to their ideal forever home. The all-inclusive adoption package from Pet Perfect Bengals features lifetime support and a health guarantee, providing you with peace of mind. Explore the available kittens or contact us directly to begin your journey with these extraordinary felines. With a dedication to connecting you with a Snow Bengal companion that will captivate your heart and enrich your life, Pet Perfect Bengals stands ready to guide you through the adoption process.