I am considering a male kitten from a breeder in Germany who has Bengals like no other. Absolutely stunning off-white background with vivid rosettes the has brown (not dark brown) outline with light brown centers. Her price could be the highest price I saw for a Bengal. The description she has for each picture keeps getting me confused especially since her website is in German language.

I searched extensively online about the description of the Lynx, Sepia and Mink. The more I think I understood what each stands for, I find pictures confusing me between the three.

1) Can someone please describe the difference between the three in words and pictures?
2) How one can distinctively distinguish each from the other?
3) reference to my description above, what's the color name of this breeder's Bengal?

Thank you in advance.

You just hit the nail on the head, Hassaan. The pictures are quite confusing and there are breeders who can't tell the difference between the three. Many have their bengals tested to show the type of kittens they may have. All three are considered Snow bengals. I don't know if you saw this information, but hope it helps:

From PocketLeopard Bengals:

Snow bengals comes in three categories.

1.)Seal Lynx Point Tabby

2.)Seal Sepia Tabby

3.)Seal Mink Tabby

All three types of snow are very similar in phenotype (the way they look) but have different genotypes (the types of gene they carry)

1.) A seal lynx point is the result of the Siamese gene. Seal lynx point bengals will usually be born white or have a very light pattern at birth. The points usually darken first and then the markings will follow. It can take quite a few months for the final color to appear. A seal lynx point cannot produce a seal sepia no matter what it is bred to, even if it is bred to a seal sepia.

The eye color of a seal lynx point snow bengal will always be a bright blue color.

2.)A seal sepia is the result of the Burmese gene being expressed. A seal sepia can never produce a seal lynx point, no matter what it's bred to, even if it's bred to a seal lynx point.

Sepias generally have darker markings then the seal lynx points. They are usually born with distinct markings. Sepias do not have blue eyes. if you have a snow with blue eyes, you know it's not a seal sepia.

3.)A seal mink is a combination between the Burmese (sepia) gene and a Siamese (lynx point) gene. A seal mink will have one copy of each. A seal mink can pass either gene to it's offspring. A seal mink can produce all three of the snow colors. The interesting thing about this is that seal mink cannot be carried recessively. A non snow cat that is a snow carrier either carries the seal sepia gene OR the seal lynx point gene. If you want to breed for seal minks you will need either one of the parents to be a seal mink or you need for one parent to either be /or carry for seal lynx point and the other parent to either be/ or carry for seal sepia.

Seal minks are usually born with some color but the color will not be as dark as the seal sepia. Seal minks will be darker in color then the seal lynx point, generally speaking. Seal minks can have light aqua blue eyes, but not bright blue eyes like the seal lynx point. Seal minks can also have the "normal" bengal eye color besides the aqua blue color.

The tail tip on all of the snow colors will not be completely black. Some may look black but when compared to a true black color you will see that the tip is a dark seal brown.

I can't thank you enough Sherry for this detailed informative response. It's a relief to learn this after all.

Below are three pictures from the breeder (already sold) with different markings:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gzzi0d8lewmbd ... 7.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t2tgm1jx0rlyj ... 7.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5si83v730pj32 ... 6.jpg?dl=0

All three are gorgeous, but my favorite is the last one.

My question, assuming I purchase a stud like one of the above, would Snickers be able to produce in her litter kittens matching the stud?

Again thank you in advance.

Most breeders have their cats tested. You will see on their website "carries Sepia" or "carries mink." This means the cat can produce a sepia or mink, but maybe just one a litter. It is not the dominant gene for them. If you're up to it, you might want to get Snickers tested and see what they come up with. If you get a Sepia male and she tests that she carries Sepia, then you could probably end up with a few in the litter. You just never know. There are so many recessive genes in the bengal. You can go way back and find marbles. And even though there have been spotted cats 5 generations down in the pedigree, you can end up with a marble in the litter. You just do not know the outcome. These cats are stunning cats, no doubt.

Snickers doesn't have Sepia or Mink genes to my knowledge. She has marble siblings, that I know.

My priority is having a Bengal with such exclusive coloring as a companion for ME ;) and for Snickers. Having two Bengals at home one in contrast with the other will be an absolute joy.

However, I received a confirmation email from the breeder that one male kitten was born yesterday matching my requirement. No pictures yet... if so, Snickers' future husband is born ;) But it's too early to judge. Since I can have only one more cat in my house, I need to be sure it's the right one.

I paid a premium for Snickers' breeding license. And I'll be doing so for the male too. Yet, when the time comes if I find breeding turns to be a hassle for me, I'll neuter both and enjoy them as pets whether before having any litter or after having one.

Again thank you Sherry for always being there with rich knowledge and info. God bless you.

Your breeder is extremely well informed and knows her bengals! It would probably be very interesting to see what type of kittens Snickers might have. Interesting you mentioned you can only have one more cat. Kittens would be more than "one more cat." LOL

Thanks for sharing the info from the breeder Hassaan. Sounds weird, but I have a better understanding of the genetics now. Always interested me.

Check out this link: https://feralfront.com/thread/29474-ben ... y-x-misha/
Mother is a seal lynx point, marble while father is a brown rosetted Bengal.
End result:

I find this even more stunning than a standard Mink due to its tri-colour markings on a pale-golden coat, like having the best of both worlds.

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https://www.instagram.com/xanderbengal/