Maine Coon cats have a unique appearance with their large size and long, flowing fur that gives them a mythical look. Despite their intimidating appearance, these felines are known for their gentle and kind demeanor, earning them the moniker “gentle giants.” With their regal bearing and charming personalities, it’s no surprise that Maine Coons are highly sought-after by cat lovers worldwide.
The Maine Coon cat breed has gained popularity and recognition over the years. It even has its own global organization called “The Society for the Preservation of the Maine Coon Cat” that was established in 1968 to promote the breed. Here are some fascinating facts about this exceptional feline:
1. They have set multiple world records.
Maine Coon cats are renowned for their impressive size, with an average weight ranging from 4.08 to 8.16 kg and even exceeding 11.34 kg in some male specimens. Yet, their greatness goes beyond their weight as this breed holds various world records. Guinness World Records acknowledged Barivel, a Maine Coon resident in Italy, as the longest living domestic cat worldwide, measuring an astonishing 1.2 meters on May 22, 2018. Before Barivel, Stewie had previously set the record with a remarkable length of 1.23 meters, but unfortunately passed away in 2013.
Introducing Corduroy, a proud recipient of Guinness’ recognition as the world’s oldest living cat. Hailing from the United States, this 26-year-old Maine Coon cat boasts different hues of fur, adding to his unique and charming character.
Maine Coon cats are often recognized for their typical brown or gray-black and white coats, but in fact, these large felines come in various colors. The fur of Maine Coons can be found in shades of salt-and-pepper, Himalayan, or tortoiseshell. Their eyes usually range from green to yellow or amber. Additionally, these cats are known as the state cat of Maine.
The Maine Coon, as its name implies, is a feline breed that hails from Maine in the Northeastern region of the United States. These cats are especially suited to the cold winters prevalent in New England, due to their thick, shaggy, water-resistant fur. Despite this, the origins of the Maine Coon remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, with various theories circulating about its ancestry. One such theory suggests that during the French Revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette planned to flee France and brought six of her prized Angora Turkish cats with her to Wiscasset, a town in Maine. Here, they mated with local shorthair cats to propagate the Maine Coon breed.
It has been speculated that Maine Coon cats are a product of crossbreeding between a local shorthair domestic cat and a long-haired feline that was introduced to New England by Viking sailors around the 1700s. What’s remarkable about these cats is their superb disposition.
Maine Coon cats are known for their friendly and gentle disposition, despite their tough exterior. These huge cats have a special liking for water and are easy to train, loyal, and obedient, making them ideal pets for families with children. Many people call them the “dogs of the cat world” because of their affectionate and sociable nature. Additionally, Maine Coon cats are popular on social media platforms.
In the 1800s, Maine Coon cats were all the rage and even won a beauty contest held at Madison Square Garden in 1895. However, as other long-haired cat breeds were introduced to America in the 1900s, their popularity dwindled. But from the 1970s onwards, Maine Coons have made a comeback and are now the third most sought-after cat breed worldwide, as per the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
Maine Coon cats are a trending topic on social media platforms today. You can easily spot them on Instagram as there are over 6.5 million pictures of this distinct breed of cats. Moreover, some of these felines have even become social media celebrities with an impressive number of followers. One such example is Lotus, a golden-furred cat residing in Sweden with more than 350,000 followers on Instagram.
