The Charcoal Bengal

A charcoal is often much darker colored than a "standard" Bengal. The coat often has a lot of contrast, so the difference between the background and the pattern is large. With a snow charcoal, the development is slightly slower. This is because a snow bengal is often born white or light-colored and only later gets a visible or clearer pattern. In a snow bengal, the mask will develop first. The charocal is often completely dark colored except around the eyes. This is called wearing a mask or glasses. This is the most obvious characteristic in which you can distinguish them. The nose bridge of a charcoal is completely dark colored as well as from the mascara lines to the nose bridge. Most charcoals have a "cape" when they are young. This is a dark strip on top of the back. Gosht markings are often visible there. With one charcoal the cape disappears completely, the other keeps it or keeps it partially.

Genetically, the “gene” A locus is responsible for the pattern. Several variations are possible, each in its own way having an influence on the appearance of the pattern / coat of the Bengal. When a color test is performed on the DNA of the Bengal, these are the possible results of the test on the A locus gene. A / A = Agouti, the Bengal has a visible pattern. A / a = Bearer of Non – Agouti. This means carrier of a Solid color (snow), Smoke (silver) or Melanistic (black). The cat itself has a plain visible pattern. a / a = Non – Agouti, the Bengal is Solid (snow), Smoke (silver) or Melanistic (black). The begal in this case has an almost solid colored coat. Charcoal is also found on the A locus gene by means of a DNA test. This gene is designated Apb, the ALC gene. The possibilities when testing for the A locus gene in charcoal bengals (or carriers) are the following. Apb / Apb = a double charcoal carrier. The cat itself is not a charcoal bengal but carries 2 x the ALC gene which is needed to get charcoal bengal. Apb / a = A Charcoal Bengal. The Bengal with this as DNA carries 1 x the ALC gene and 1 x the Non-Agouti gene. (smoke, melanistic or solid)Apb / A = A carrier of the charcoal gene (ALC gene). To easily read the possibilities when the genes of the Bengal are known, you can use a diagram. This looks like this. Only the blue colored ones are "real" charcoal. cats that are only Apb carriers (or double Apb) are often incorrectly called charcoal bengals.