Choose the cat that you like. Melanistic bengals are still bengals and are gorgeous kitties. The kitty is just adorable, as all kitties are. Get a kitty from a breeder who socializes their cats with their family and pets. You'll get a much sweeter kitty. Bengals are wonderful .. regardless of the rosettes or marbling. If you like the melanistic bengal, by all means get one.

I'm not sure that cat is a bengal actually. He has a spot of white on his bib, and in his ears. That and his nose looks kind of "crusty" (although difficult to see in that tiny picture).

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The little monsters 3

You can click on the picture and go to a full-size version. I noticed the white, but thought it might be a tag or something hanging down. Since the picture is of the face only, I don't see any bengal markings there. Melanistics are a little rare in a litter. Is this little one from a reputable breeder? I recall an episode of Too Cute Kittens where one was born in the litter -- named him Walter. He was the only one they kept. I have heard there are breeders trying to breed entire litters of melanistics.

I think melanistic bengals are really cool, but while I think the kitten in that photo is awful cute I don't think it's a purebred bengal. The white spot on the bib is a dead giveaway.

I just wonder how many people are trying to pass off black cats as melanistic bengals! I'd like to think everyone does their research to make sure what's advertised as a bengal is a true bengal. So many cat owners are being taken advantage of.