I'm a relatively new Bengal kitty mama, I've had Athena for a year now and she was 4 months at the time. Prior to getting her, I researched for a while - reputable Breeders, behaviours to expect, etc. The place was Bengal proofed and we brought her home. To my surprise, Athena doesn't exhibit any behaviour that I expected at all. She is highly suspicious of people and runs and hides around guests, including my live-in boyfriend who she has been exposed to the whole time. She is okay with me but doesn't look for affection. She hardly makes a peep, never have heard her purr. Food, treats, and play are not motivators for her - she has no issue walking away from them. I do have another cat, domestic short hair and the 2 bonded the moment I brought her home. They are inseparable and cry for each other when separated and very affectionate together so I know she isn't feeling any territory issues. I am totally cool if this is her personality, I love her regardless, but if we are doing something that is affecting her confidence I'd like to change it. I've tried searching topics like this but haven't found anything that sounds like my scenario.
Has anyone come across a Bengal like this? Could it be ALC traits coming through even though she's an SBT very far removed from her ancestors?

I think it's either just her personality or how well she was socialised as a kitten.

We got our Bengal Dexter from a good Breeder and he was the last in the litter. The Breeder reduced the price because he was (and still is a little) very timid. She was very open and honest with us about this.

He hid from us for quite some time even though he made friends with our old Burmese quite quickly. I think also sometimes when you have two cats and one of them is a little timid around humans they can stay a bit like that as they have the company of the other cat and that's enough for them.

My other cat, the Burmese has always been a bit grumpy which is unusual for the Breed. I blame the Breeder though as I noticed when we went to visit she had him outside in a pen and I got the feeling he hadn't been socialised very well.

Our other Burmese (who has sadly passed away with old age now) was totally the opposite and a big cuddly teddy bear. When we got him from another Breeder she opened her living room door and they all came trotting in, every single kitten as confident as the other. They were into everything and adorable! The Breeder's husband also carried them around in his cardigan pocket .

So I think it can either be just their personality or how they are socialised by the Breeder.

_________________
Oscar and Jasper (or one ear and two ears as dh calls them) black rescue mogges

RIP my sweet baby Dexter, Snow Bengal 19/5/14 to 5/3/15 and my lovely dear old friend Muskey, Brown Burmese put to rest aged 15 on 14/11/15.

Debbie

I would just say that every cat is an individual. My Quasar is much like your Athena.
He was raised at the breeders in the home with other cats, kittens, dogs, and children but remains aloof and timid around strangers.
He purrs but it is a silent purr so only I know he is purring when he is sitting on me and I can feel the vibration.
Food is not a motivator for him. He eats a raw diet and I cannot find any treats that he wants to try, although he smells everything.
Quasar is confident in our home with us and our dog but when visitors come, he remains aloof.
I can't think of anything we could have done to socialize him better after we got him. We take him with us everywhere and he has been exposed to many things.
I am his "momma" and he always has me to comfort him when he is nervous in these situations. Most of the time, he just watches quietly and observes closely.
We assume this is just his personality. We love him and accept him the way he is.
He does provide us with amusement with his wildcat antics when he is in his comfort zone. He climbs, stalks, and plays like no other cat I have ever seen.

_________________
~ Kyenta

There are bengal characteristics, but not every bengal may display them. Every cat is different. It depends on the breeder and how this kitten was raised for the first 12 to 14 weeks of their life. Also, how your kitty interacted with the siblings. All cats purr. Some just purr louder than others. As long as Athena is healthy, that's all you need to worry about. She gets along with your other kitty, which is wonderful. However, all cats love to play and sometimes it may take a while to get them going. Raiden was an outdoor cat and was never played with, so when I got him, it took probably a month to get him interested in toys. I just kept at it over and over again.

Thank you for the input! It sounds like it may just be her personality, rare as it is. The positive side of it is that even though she displays none of the fun crazy Bengal side of things, I definitely don't have any of the negative aspects that some people seem to be have either. She is one in a million, almost literally haha.