Depending on the gender, a Maine Coon’s weight can be between 9 – 18 pounds, with a length of 4 feet and height of up to 16 inches! Their rectangular bodies are muscular to support their weight and they come in a variety of colors. However, cat competition associations consider coat colors such as lilac or chocolate unnatural and indicate crossbreeding.

Maine Coons are made for the winter. They have large, tufted paws that they can use almost like snowshoes. Their long, fluffy tail won’t sink into the snow allowing them to sit on wet, cold surfaces and it can be wrapped around their face, shoulders, and body for warmth. The Maine Coon’s water-resistant fur is shorter on their shoulders and heads so they can navigate the woods without snaring on branches. However, their coat can adapt to warmer areas too by thinning out to keep cool.

There are several theories as to how Maine Coons came to be. One is that Marie Antoinette was fleeing France with her six Turkish Angora cats in the late 1700s; her cats made it to the United States even though she did not. These Turkish Angora cats bred with domestic short-hairs to make Maine Coons. A more plausible theory is that Maine Coons are descendants from the Norwegian Forest cats that Vikings or European sailors brought to America.

Due to their large size and high energy, Maine Coons require diets with high protein and nutrients.

Maine Coons will normally have a litter of about three to four kittens. These cute kittens will grow up to be “gentle giants”, which is a common nickname for Maine Coons as they are loving pets. They have above-average intelligence and are so well-mannered that owners say they are almost dog-like. Maine Coons may not be the lap cat you’ve always wanted but they typically get along with other animals and children.

A Maine Coon named Cosey was the winner of the first official cat show, which was held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 1895. This propelled Maine Coons to be one of the country’s most coveted breeds until Persian cats made their appearance. In fact, the breed’s popularity took such a big hit, Maine Coons almost went extinct in the 1950s. Luckily, several breed enthusiasts founded an organization to keep Maine Coons alive and well.

Maine Coones are known to be very vocal with yowling, chirping, howling, and other loud noises.