10 Interesting Facts About Maine Coon Cats

How did the Maine Coon come to have its name? Several tales are floating about regarding the derivation of the name. One stems from a legend of a domestic cat released outside (released or escaped is what I still am wondering...) and this feline interbred with a raccoon. The result was the Maine Coon. This tall tale was initiated because of the Maine Coon characteristics resemble that of a raccoon. This is biologically impossible; however, with the Coon's luxuriant tail and the fact that brown tabby is the most common of their colorations, a myth was born.
Another tall tale is that the Maine Coon received its name from a ship's captain. Captain Coon was responsible for this domestic cat reaching our New England shores.

Still another tale has Maine Coons stemming from Marie Antoinette's six escaped cats she sent to Maine (Wiscasset) from France during the French Revolution.

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Natural selection also plays a part in the Maine Coon's history. In the 1600-1700's domesticated cats brought across the ocean from Europe faced climate changes in New England. The harsh winters, such as they had, brought about natural selection. In order to survive, the Maine Coon had to adapt, developing into the large feline with a water resistant coat (It rains a lot in Maine!!!!!!!) and ability to survive most climate conditions.

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Still...the majority of people believe that Maine Coons derived in cross breeding domestic short hairs and Angoras or long hairs conveyed to North America by the Vikings. Maine Coons appear similar to the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian.

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We know Maine Coons are renowned for their size, however, they are also known for their high liveliness and acumen quotients. Because of this, they have been labeled "the Gentle Giants" in the feline world.

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Male Maine Coons can weigh up to twenty-five pounds with the standard being between thirteen and twenty pounds. Females can weigh a typical of seven to eleven pounds, reaching twenty pounds for a big girl.

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Maine Coon cats are not considered full grown until they reach four to five years of age. Therefore, if your eighteen month old precious fur baby appears huge to you now-just you wait!!!!

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The Majority of Maine Coons share one distinguishing facet; their facial traits can have an evident M shape on their brow. Maine Coon mixes can also have this feature.

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Maine Coons do not have the long coat like that of a Persian; rather they have middling thick (plush) fur with a ruff (beard) around their neck and chests. This exterior is akin to a lion's mane. They also have the longer hair around their legs (pants).

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The fur of a Maine Coon is derived of two layers. An undercoat and a supplementary tier of longer guard hairs. This multi- stratum coat is what gives the Maine Coons their noticeable appearance. (The guard hairs on the tips of their ears are called tuffs.) They require only minimal grooming!!!!

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Maine Coons can be polydactyl - like Hemmingway's cats-having six or more toes on their paws.

A Bonus fact

Maine Coons enjoy playing with water!!!