Just out of curiosity, is it possible to tell from a pedigree what F number a cat is.
You mean just by physically looking at a Bengal cat or by looking at its pedigree chart?
How can you tell the difference between a standard bengal and an egyptian mau?
There are physical and character differences between the 2 breeds, just like you will find differences between any 2 breeds.
From my own 2, I can tell you
Egyptian Mau:
generally smaller,
they have spots,
if you shave them they are the only domestic cat in the world that will have spots on their skin,
they are the fastest domestic cat (when running) in the world,
they have very fast reaction times, they have an extra flap of skin between their legs that allows them to extend their legs wider to enable them to run faster,
they are typically silver spotted, but can be bronze spotted or smoke (with no spots)
they tend to not like sitting on peoples laps
their rear legs are disproprotionately longer than their front legs (almost like a kangaroo)
they make a chortling sound
they kneed their front paws together and do dance that makes them look like they are crapping.
Obviously, you may get an Egyptian Mau who has all or few of the above traits, however, those are the typcial breed characteristics.
Bengal. This one is a little interesting as when you think about it, Bengals arent really pedigree cats, as at some stage, each Bengal was mixed with Asian Leopard Cat and another domestic cat. Though I think many chose the Egyptian Mau, which is why some people mistake the Mau and Bengal for sometimes being the same cat. This "mixing" defies the meaning of pedigree, but thats how it all started and there was no other way.
Bengals:
are generally bigger than the Egyptian Mau
can have very similar colouring, though rossettes are common in their coat, which Mau's never have
they arent as quick as the Maus
their front legs are in proportion with the rest of their bodies
they are more likely to sit in someone's lap, especially when feeling sleepy
Those are the things I can think of, off the top of my head.
