See also: Catversity, the free online cat university and entertainment sub-site.
Maine Coon cats are friendly and generally quite large. The one in this video below is 1.2 meters tall when reaching up on his back legs. That’s 47.2 inches, just short of four feet by one inch.
Origins & History
Mystery Origins – The true origin of Maine Coons is unknown, but legends suggest they descended from long-haired cats brought by Vikings or even from Marie Antoinette’s pets.
Maine’s Official State Cat – They were officially declared the state cat of Maine in 1985.
The Oldest American Breed – The Maine Coon is considered one of the oldest natural breeds in North America.
Once Thought to be Part Raccoon – Early myths suggested they were a mix between domestic cats and raccoons due to their bushy tails and brown tabby coats.
Almost Went Extinct – In the early 1900s, Maine Coons nearly disappeared due to the rising popularity of Persian cats.
Size & Physical Traits
One of the Largest Domestic Cats – They can grow up to 48 inches long, including their tail.
Slow Maturing – Unlike most cats, which reach full size in about a year, Maine Coons take 3–5 years to fully mature.
Huge Paws – Their large, tufted paws act as natural “snowshoes,” helping them walk on snow more easily.
Polydactyl Paws – Some Maine Coons have extra toes (polydactyly), which was once a common trait in the breed.
Longest Cat Record Holder – A Maine Coon named Stewie held the world record for longest cat, measuring 48.5 inches from nose to tail.
Coat & Appearance
Water-Resistant Fur – Their thick, shaggy coats are water-resistant, making them excellent hunters in wet conditions.
Winter-Adapted Tails – They wrap their long, bushy tails around themselves to keep warm in cold weather.
Varied Eye Colors – While gold and green are common, some Maine Coons have striking blue or odd-colored eyes.
Thicker Ruff Like a Lion’s Mane – They have a distinct mane of fur around their neck, adding to their regal look.
Color Variety – They come in 75+ color and pattern combinations, including rare shades like silver and smoke.
Personality & Behavior
“Dog-like” Cats – Maine Coons are known for their dog-like personalities, including following owners around and playing fetch.
Chirping & Trilling – Unlike typical meows, they often chirp or trill to communicate.
Highly Social – Unlike many cats, they enjoy being around people and even other pets.
Great with Kids – They are incredibly patient and playful, making them great family pets.
Love Water – Unlike most cats, Maine Coons enjoy playing with or even swimming in water!
Intelligence & Training
Highly Trainable – Many owners successfully train Maine Coons to do tricks, walk on a leash, or even play hide-and-seek.
Excellent Hunters – Originally working cats, they are still among the best mousers in the cat world.
Can Open Doors – Some Maine Coons figure out how to open doors and cabinets with their paws.
Memory Masters – They have excellent memories and can recognize familiar people even after long separations.
Puzzle Lovers – They enjoy interactive toys and puzzle feeders that challenge their intelligence.
Health & Care
Prone to “Chirping Cough” – Some Maine Coons make a coughing noise when they’re excited, which is harmless but unusual.
Susceptible to Hip Dysplasia – Due to their large size, they are more prone to hip dysplasia, a condition more common in dogs.
Longest Lifespan in the Breed? – While their average lifespan is 12–15 years, some have been known to live into their 20s.
They Don’t Always Like Being Held – Despite their friendly nature, many Maine Coons prefer standing next to you rather than being carried.
Need Frequent Grooming – Their long coats are relatively low-maintenance compared to Persians, but they still need brushing at least 2–3 times per week to prevent matting.
Colors
You might think that Maine Coon cats come in only one color. Not so:
1. Solid Colors
These cats have one uniform color throughout their fur.
Black – Deep, jet-black fur with no markings.
White – Pure white, sometimes with blue or odd-colored eyes.
Blue (Gray) – A soft, solid gray (often called “blue”).
Red (Orange) – A deep red, similar to an orange tabby but without stripes.
Cream – A pale, soft beige color.
2. Tabby Patterns (Most Common)
Tabby Maine Coons are the most recognizable and come in different patterns:
Classic (Blotched) Tabby – Large, swirling patterns on the sides.
Mackerel Tabby – Narrow, vertical stripes like a tiger.
Ticked Tabby – Individual hairs have bands of color but no stripes.
Spotted Tabby – Instead of stripes, they have spots on their coats.
Tabby Color Variations:
Brown Tabby – The most classic Maine Coon look (black stripes on a warm brown base).
Silver Tabby – Black or gray markings on a pale silver base.
Red (Orange) Tabby – Bright orange with darker stripes.
Blue Tabby – Soft grayish-blue with darker stripes.
Cream Tabby – Pale cream with light striping.
3. Tortoiseshell (Tortie) & Torbie
Tortoiseshell – A mix of black and red/orange (no white).
Blue Tortie – A mix of blue (gray) and cream.
Torbie (Tabby + Tortie) – A tortoiseshell pattern with tabby stripes.
4. Smoke Colors (Unique & Stunning)
Smoke Maine Coons have solid-colored coats with a lighter undercoat, giving them a smoky effect.
Black Smoke – Black fur with a silver-white undercoat.
Blue Smoke – Blue-gray fur with a pale undercoat.
Red Smoke – Bright red with a white undercoat.
Cream Smoke – Soft cream with a white undercoat.
5. Shaded & Chinchilla
Shaded Silver – Darker silver tips on a white base.
Shaded Blue – Blue-gray shading on a pale base.
Chinchilla Silver – White with very light silver tipping.
Chinchilla Gold – White with warm golden tipping.
6. Bi-Color & Parti-Color (White + Another Color)
Black & White (Tuxedo or Bicolor) – Black with white patches.
Blue & White – Blue-gray with white.
Red & White – Orange with white.
Cream & White – Cream with white.
Tortoiseshell & White (Calico) – A tortoiseshell with white patches.
7. Rare Colors
Golden Tabby – Warm golden hues with darker markings.
Silver Blue – A rare bluish-silver shade.
See also: Catversity, the free online cat university and entertainment sub-site.
