I have my very first Bengal kitten, a boy named Kumarborn on September 20th. I've posted pictures here in other threads. He is a great kitten, and I never get tired of watching him and he is growing more "handsome" and spotty every day! We've only had him since Thanksgiving but he is already part of the family.

The thing I'm wondering about, is he goes through these CRAZY spirts, he'll just run and jump and tumble like a madcat, but then when he's through he's calm and loving and purry again. I've had kittens before, (not bengals) and they were playful and wild as kittens, but nothing like this. He's like Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde! Is this normal behaviour in Bengals or is mine just a bit crazy!?

I've also noticed every day he can jump just a little bit higher and a little bit further...is it true Bengals can jump much higher than regular cats? Oh, and another thing, his face! It goes from cute and innocent to totally WILD, it almost seems to change in shape, but it couldn't possibly could it?

Hi Red.......welcome to the wonderful world of bengals.....Thats why so many people love the breed so much because of they're mischievous nature!

They all go a little mad sometimes, Normally just before bedtime.....ours will climb things that you would think impossible for a normal cat.....If theres somewhere they aren't allowed to go.....they will get there in the end for sure! :blink:

And when they're play-fighting together things look pretty rough and almost a blur to the eye.....paws flying everywhere.....But if you can get a little closer into the action you'll see that it's all harmless fun, No claws are extended and the biting thankfully is just nipping! :rolleyes:

At the tica show the other day when all the other breeds of cats were in the ring it was nice and peaceful, But as soon as the bengals showed up things got a bit louder to say the least.....they were growling,hissing screeching etc (quite a few people came over just to see what was going on)....you could see the people in the audience getting a little concerned but the judge soon put them at ease by saying that they should not be alarmed by the noises they're making as this was perfectly normal for the breed and if there was any owners in the audience they would also comfirm this was a fact of life if you own a bengal.

So don't be too concerned.....your bengal has perfectly normal behaviour and no doubt simply enchanting to watch even if mischief is on the menu (which it normally is! ).....just embrace the madness!

Perfectly normal red, it is in fact a Bengal characteristic as meemonkey says..... Since you only have one, he has to jump about on his own, when you have 2 or more, they go crazy together, it's absolute nuts when they kick off like that.....

And yes, Bengals can jump further and higher than other cats, don't be surprised when one day you find him sat on your shoulder after leaping off something onto you, that's another Bengal speciality B)

As you've probably noticed, they are more intelligent than normal cats, so they are able to "think out" craftier ways of getting into mischief Zeus's current speciality is door opening, we can't shut them out of a room anymore, as he'll just jump up and use the handle and let himself in :unsure:

You can always tell when the madness is about to start with our girls.....Their ears go back and you can see the whites of their eyes, Then the sidewards skipping and trotting around begins :wacko: ....or maybe even a wiggle of the bum(don't you just love it when they do that?)....Thats a dead give-away that a frenzied cat-leap attack is on the way!

Also as Gavin says it works best with two.....you gotta get another.....one just isn't enough!

Another funny thing Zeus and Hestia do if they are startled, or if one of the them pounces on the other unaware. Instead of running in the opposite direction like a normal cat would do. Zeus and Hestia leap UPWARDS. It's almost like a grasshopper and is hilarious to watch.

One day I was sitting on the sofa with Zeus by my foot, when I happened to move it suddlenly. Well he was almost hanging from the chandelier and that is not exagerating believe me. It frightened the jeebers out of him.

10 mins later, even ten hours later. I was still laughing. It was so funny.

<!--QuoteBegin-Siobhan+Dec 22 2004, 06:30 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Siobhan @ Dec 22 2004, 06:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Instead of running in the opposite direction like a normal cat would do. Zeus and Hestia leap UPWARDS. It's almost like a grasshopper and is hilarious to watch. [/quote]
god did I laugh when I read this... The first time we saw Tally do this we nearly pee'd ourselves....it is soooo funny

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Heidi

Must be a bengal thing then B)

It's very funny indeed, Zeus did one yesterday and did a backflip off the cat tree