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A spotted brown Bengal cat sleeps on her back on a green blanket with a small tortoise resting on her belly. 13 / 21

A Bengal Cat Lay on Her Back With a Tortoise on Her Belly

AI imagebengal cattortoisenap

A Bengal cat lies sprawled on her back on a green blanket, one paw lifted, her golden coat dotted with dark rosettes and her face completely relaxed. On her belly, Gus the tortoise has settled with his legs tucked in and his shell like a little dome. A cardboard box, a few clothes and a houseplant fill the room behind them. The cat's eyes are closed and her mouth is slightly open, and the tortoise appears to be in no danger of being dislodged. Neither has moved in a long time. A sock has been dropped nearby, and the cat doesn't stir.

Bengal cats come from crosses between domestic cats and Asian leopard cats, and they are known for being energetic, athletic and very intelligent. They love to climb, play fetch and explore, and they need plenty of stimulation. Seeing one sprawled so peacefully is a sign of real comfort, because cats expose their bellies only when they feel safe. Even so, a tortoise is heavy on a cat's body, and cats shouldn't be encouraged to carry one. A tortoise can also scratch with its claws, so it's best to keep their meetings brief and supervised. Make sure the tortoise can climb down on its own and has a warm place to return to.

For now, it's a very still, very quiet nap, and the rest of the world can wait. It's the quietest nap of the day.

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