I'm new, so excuse my general lack of knowledge or terminology.

I have two spotted 4th generation females, a snow and a tabby, sisters from the same litter, now 5 years old. I decided on Bengals primarily because I am single, travel alot for work, couldnt have a dog, strongly dislike most cats (too aloof), but wanted pets. I decided on two on the premise that their quality of life is better with a companion, and its really no extra work for me.

Skyler (dark) and Moe (snow) couldnt be more different. Skyler is high maintenance, mischievous, aggressive and was always the one to try new things first. Moe is laid-back, quiet, eats more, doesnt get into any trouble, and is instantly accepting of new people whereas Skyler will hide under the couch for 3 days after the slightest little change in her routine.

They are 100% indoor cats, still have all their claws, climb everything they can find, but never have attacked my furniture (citrus spray works wonders as a deterrant). I leave dry food out 24/7 and they eat at their leisure, they get wet food once a week, either "pouch" or canned tuna, and they share an automatic litterbox (best invention since the light bulb).

Both talk in a variety of distinct meows... they WAIL if they wake up and cant find anyone else nearby, cry when they want attention, chirp if they are happy, growl/hiss at any stray animal, and will literally engage in a running conversation as long as you answer back. The sound of the can opener gets yet another distinct meow, and if you try to touch them while they are eating their fish, you get a very primal response.

Several funny points: each morning, they will sit on the sink and cry until I turn on the faucet. Skyler just sticks her face under the faucet and laps away at the running water. Moe gently dips her paw into the puddle and then licks the pads. Its a comedy show. Watching a cat try to straddle a toilet and drink out of the bowl is even funnier.

They have also learned how to open cabinet doors. When they were a year old, I came home after a 3-day trip, and my house looked like the Blair Witch Project. No one was there, but EVERY cabinet door in EVERY room was wide open. Skyler had discovered a new trick. This included remembering where the canned food was.... top shelf of the top cabinet... emptying them all over the floor. A dozen dented cans.

Dont even ask me about the time they discovered the new 24-roll package of toilet paper. I thought it had snowed in the house.

They have this bizarre fascination with pens.... put one on a table, they knock it off with a flick of a paw. Nothing else. They just have a thing about pens on a table. They like to chew on rubber bands and twisty ties. Chew... cut in half... discard.

Oh... and they watch hockey. Nothing else. Put a hockey game on TV, they will sit on the coffee table and the heads go left-right-left-right to follow the movement of the camera (which is following the puck). They were very upset two years ago during the strike.

They fight daily... hourly.... sisterly pecking-order fights... neck grabs, wrestling, chasing..... not once has their been blood or hair yanked out, just alot of noise, hissing, swatting and acrobatics. Moe sleeps at the bottom of the bed, I dont even know she's there. Skyler has to be pressed against me, at least until I roll over and almost crush her in the middle of the night.

Both cats use head butts as a means of asking for attention. Skyler will NOT lick me, and never has in 5 years.... Moe would bathe me from head to toe if I sat still long enough. But they groom each other regularly (which always turns into a WWF fight). Skyler cries for neck, ear and back rubs. Moe flops onto her back and tries to look adorable... and enjoys a good belly rub. If I tried to rub Skylers stomach, I would literally lose an arm.

Cant think of anything else that might be of interest. I guess I am lucky to have relatively well behaved pets. I'd get Bengals again before I ever got a dog.

Jeff, you've really made me smile today! As a fairly new owner myself (two 5 and a half month old boys) a lot of your comments were very familiar...

My two are completely different too. Ernie is smaller and a real stress bunny - very vocal and HATES closed doors, no matter what side of the door he is (or we are!). Bert is BIG and very laid back, and more intelligent - he has learnt to "fetch" very easily but Ernie just looks confused when we throw things for him (bless). Both love crisp packets tied up into little bows and will play with these for hours. Sadly we don't eat that many packets of crisps so keeping up a supply is a problem!

Look forward to seeing photos of your girls in the gallery?

Best wishes

Teresa

Fantastic description Jeff.

Indy has had a fun day. We got a new front door put in and he was a big chicken and ran away from the 2 lads when they came in the house so he spent a good hour snuggled up to me in the bedroom.

Then he helped me tidy the bedside table. Which involved him trying to steal various items I had out on the bed....dental floss packet and paracetamol in foil wrap (needless to say he didn't get very far). I'm sure in another life he was a magpie....he loves shiney stuff

This afternoon we stripped the wallpaper in the hallway...great Indy fun. Big bin bags to dive into full of paper bits to drag off and try to play with. Two people to hide under (a bit awkward on the stairs).

Then he spent the evening snoozing on the grubby dust sheet I had left on the floor. This is the Bengal boy who had a radiator bed bought for him last week and wont go near it I might try the grubby sheet on the radiator bed to see what happens?

Bengals are such great pets. They are like little two year olds with ADD that never grow up.