Maine Coons, often referred to as the « gentle giants » of cats, are known for their large size and sociable nature. Here are 12 facts about these magnificent felines, who are among the largest domestic cats in the world.
They are massive animals
Maine Coons are often mistaken for red lynx due to their large size. Female Maine Coons weigh between 4 and 7kg, while males weigh between 6 and 8kg. Although some claim that Maine Coons are the largest breed of cats, they actually fall somewhere between the Norwegian Forest Cat, which can weigh up to 16 pounds, and the Ragdoll, which can weigh up to 20 pounds.
They have colorful origin stories
Maine Coon cats, as their name suggests, originate from the Pine Tree State. With their brown coat and bushy tail, one popular (but scientifically unfounded) explanation for the origin of the breed is that it resulted from the mating of semi-wild domestic cats with raccoons. Another theory suggests that Maine Coons are descendants of six pet cats that Queen Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine, while she was preparing to flee France during the French Revolution.
A less intriguing but more plausible story is that the furry kittens are the result of domestic shorthair cats breeding with longhaired cats, which may have been brought to America by Vikings or European sailors who docked in New England in the 1700s. As genetic tests indicate that Maine Coons are actually descended from both Norwegian Forest cats and a mysterious extinct domestic breed, the Vikings are likely responsible.
They are dressed for winter
The Maine Coon has evolved to survive harsh winters by developing features such as wide and furry paws that serve as built-in « snowshoes » and a thick, bushy tail that it can wrap around its body when it’s cold.
Its main characteristic is a dense and waterproof coat that is longer on the belly, ruff, and sides. These furry parts keep the lower body of the Maine Coon warm when sitting or walking on ice or snow. The fur is shorter on the shoulders, allowing kittens to play in the woods without getting caught by tree branches or bushes.
Not all Maine Coon cats are brown
It is often believed that the Maine Coon is exclusively known for its brown coat, resembling that of a raccoon. However, in reality, Maine Coons come in a variety of colors and patterns, including smoke, cream, cameo, mackerel, and tortoiseshell. It is worth noting that Maine Coon owners do not breed cats with lilac, chocolate, or Seal Point Siamese colors, as these colors indicate hybridization and are disqualified by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
They won America’s first popular feline exhibition with a jury
One of the well-known early cat shows in America took place at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1895. There, a brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosie won the « Best Cat » prize of the event. Today, the silver collar and medal that Cosie won at this event are displayed at the headquarters of the Cat Fanciers Association in Alliance, Ohio.
Maine Coons were the most sought-after breed in the country for a long time, until Persian cats became popular. After that, cat enthusiasts stopped breeding the award-winning Maine Coons. The breed became so rare that some sources claim it was considered extinct in the 1950s. Enthusiasts joined forces to save the Maine Coon cat from obscurity, creating the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association in 1968. In 1976, Maine Coons were accepted as champions by the CFA.
They are popular in Maine – and everywhere else
The Maine Coon was declared the official cat of Maine in 1985 and is loved by cat enthusiasts all across America. According to CFA registration statistics, Maine Coons were the third most popular breed in the United States in 2015. They are also highly regarded in Japan and Europe.
A Maine Coon starred in the Harry Potter films
One of the remarkable facts about Maine Coons is that a female Maine Coon named Pebbles played the role of Mrs. Norris, Argus Filch’s pet cat, in the Harry Potter movies. Pebbles was a spayed mother cat that animal trainers « discovered » in a cattery in southwest England. While she may not have been as receptive to complex training as the other cat actors in the film, she was very skilled at navigating the set and stopping on command. Remember the scenes of Mrs. Norris wandering the halls of Hogwarts? That was Pebbles.
A Maine Coon has been commercially cloned
In 2004, a Maine Coon named Little Nicky became the first pet to be commercially cloned. After Little Nicky passed away at the age of 17, his owner Julie (who refused to disclose her full name to the media) preserved his tissues in a genetic bank. She paid $50,000 for the California-based company Genetic Savings & Clone, Inc. – a controversial company specializing in cloning dogs and cats – to transplant Little Nicky’s DNA into an egg. A surrogate mother carried the embryo and gave birth to a kitten that had a similar appearance and temperament to Julie’s precious cat.
According to newspaper interviews, Julie was a satisfied customer. However, she is not likely to order a Little Nicky III anytime soon. Genetic Savings & Clone, Inc. – which made headlines worldwide for producing the first cloned cat, CC, in 2001 – closed in 2006, reportedly due to financial reasons.
A Maine Coon held the title for the world’s longest cat
Stewie, an 8-year-old Maine Coon, held the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat in the world before his death from cancer in 2013. When fully stretched out, Stewie measured 122cm from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail bone.
Read our article on How big can Maine Coons get?
The Oldest Cat in the World
Corduroy, the current Guinness World Record holder for the oldest living cat, is technically only half Maine Coon. However, his impressive lifespan of 26 years puts other Maine Coons to shame. Read our article « What is the lifespan of a Maine Coon? » for more information.
They love water
Maine Coons have a strong affinity for water, which is possibly due to their dense fur that repels moisture. Unlike other cats who tend to avoid a full bathtub, a Maine Coon is likely to jump right in.
Some Maine Coons have six toes
In the early development of the Maine Coon breed, it was common for these cats to be polydactyl, meaning they were born with extra toes on their paws. Some experts estimate that up to 40% of the early Maine Coons had this characteristic. This was due to a genetic mutation that some believe helped the cats use their paws as natural snowshoes during the snowy winters in Maine.
However, as cat enthusiast associations began disqualifying polydactyls from competitions in the purebred category, this trait came to be seen as undesirable. Owners stopped breeding polydactyl Maine Coons, and the number of six-toed kittens gradually decreased. Nevertheless, some non-purebred litters still produce Maine Coons with extra toes.
