A white Maine CoonThe Maine Coon's "ruff"A brown mackerel tabby colored Maine Coon adult male (right) next to an average sized adult mixed breed female
Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence, playfulness as well as distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and originated from New England. more...

HomeHome
AmphibianAmphibian
ArthropodArthropod
BirdBird
CatCat
AbyssinianAbyssinian
American BobtailAmerican Bobtail
American ShorthairAmerican Shorthair
AngoraAngora
Angora CatAngora Cat
Australian MistAustralian Mist
BalineseBalinese
Balinese CatBalinese Cat
Bengal CatBengal Cat
BirmanBirman
Birman CatBirman Cat
BombayBombay
British ShorthairBritish Shorthair
BurmeseBurmese
BurmillaBurmilla
Calico CatCalico Cat
California Spangled CatCalifornia Spangled Cat
Chantilly CatChantilly Cat
ChartreuxChartreux
Colorpoint ShorthairColorpoint Shorthair
Cornish RexCornish Rex
CymricCymric
Devon RexDevon Rex
Don SphynxDon Sphynx
Egyptian MauEgyptian Mau
European ShorthairEuropean Shorthair
Exotic CatExotic Cat
Foldex CatFoldex Cat
Havana BrownHavana Brown
HimalayanHimalayan
Himalayan CatHimalayan Cat
Japanese BobtailJapanese Bobtail
JavaneseJavanese
KittenKitten
KoratKorat
LapermLaperm
Longhair CatLonghair Cat
Mackerel Tabby CatMackerel Tabby Cat
Maine CoonMaine Coon
Maltese CatMaltese Cat
ManxManx
Munchkin CatMunchkin Cat
NebelungNebelung
Norwegian Forest CatNorwegian Forest Cat
Oriental LonghairOriental Longhair
Oriental ShorthairOriental Shorthair
PersianPersian
Persian CatPersian Cat
PeterbaldPeterbald
Ragdoll CatRagdoll Cat
Russian BlueRussian Blue
SavannahSavannah
Scottish FoldScottish Fold
Selkirk RexSelkirk Rex
Serengeti CatSerengeti Cat
Shorthair CatShorthair Cat
Siamese CatSiamese Cat
SiberianSiberian
Snowshoe CatSnowshoe Cat
SokokeSokoke
Somali CatSomali Cat
SphynxSphynx
Sterling CatSterling Cat
Tabby CatTabby Cat
TonkineseTonkinese
Turkish AngoraTurkish Angora
Turkish VanTurkish Van
UssuriUssuri
York Chocolate CatYork Chocolate Cat
DinosaurDinosaur
DogDog
FishFish
MammalMammal
MythologicalMythological
ReptileReptile


Origin

In the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats brought over from Europe faced very severe winters in New England where only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution. The origin of the breed (and its name) has several (often fantastic) stories surrounding it. One comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine interbred with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon's characteristics. Though this is biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) probably led to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.' Another popular story is that the breed sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. However, most breeders today believe that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats and overseas longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings). Maine Coons' long coats resemble their European counterparts, the Norwegian Forest Cats.

Physical characteristics

Maine Coons are very large (but energetic) cats, sometimes weighing 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age three or four.

The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown with tabby markings. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted ("Siamese") pattern. Eye color also varies widely. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats.

Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes humorously called the "Mane Coon"). Their fur consists of two layers - an undercoat and an additional layer of longer guard hairs, which gives the breed their key physical feature. The fur is generally very soft. Maine Coons have long hair on the backs of their legs (called pantaloons or britches) and between their toes which helps to keep warm in the cold. They also have bushy plumed tails and broad, anglular heads, squared-off muzzles and wide-set ears topped with tufts of fur. Most Maine Coons keep their fur in good order without the need for additional human grooming, but due to the length and quantity of hair, most will also benefit from a simple brushing once a week. While the Coon may be polydactyl, having one or more extra toes on their paws, this trait is generally bred out, as it has been rejected by the standard.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Maine Coon Cat - Black Vinyl Graphic Decal Car Truck Windows Laptop NotebookMaine Coon Cat - Black Vinyl Graphic Decal Car Truck Windows Laptop Notebook $9.97 Maine Coon Cat Christmas Ornament Cat Memorial Christmas GiftMaine Coon Cat Christmas Ornament Cat Memorial Christmas Gift $17.99
Grey Maine Coon CatGrey Maine Coon Cat $5.90 Maine Coon Cat Sits On The Moon Hanging Ornament Ornament hotMaine Coon Cat Sits On The Moon Hanging Ornament Ornament hot $20.99
Cat-Maine Coon Cat And Kitten In Basket-1989-4"X6"-(Cat-65 *)Cat-Maine Coon Cat And Kitten In Basket-1989-4"X6"-(Cat-65 *) $1.00 Demdaco Maine Coon Cat Striped Ginger Realistic Plush Stuffed Animal Toy 13"Demdaco Maine Coon Cat Striped Ginger Realistic Plush Stuffed Animal Toy 13" $10.99
Artcanvas Maine Coon Cat Breed Canvas Art PrintArtcanvas Maine Coon Cat Breed Canvas Art Print $184.49 New ListingFolkmanis Ragdoll Cat Hand Puppet Maine Coon Style Realistic PlushNew ListingFolkmanis Ragdoll Cat Hand Puppet Maine Coon Style Realistic Plush $22.99
Black Maine Coon Cat Figurine Ornament ResinBlack Maine Coon Cat Figurine Ornament Resin $7.99 Maine Coon Cat Sculptures (Jekca Brick) Diy KitMaine Coon Cat Sculptures (Jekca Brick) Diy Kit $321.00
Oscar Dlux 20" Maine Coon Cat Plush Stuffed Animal Douglas Cuddle Toy kittyOscar Dlux 20" Maine Coon Cat Plush Stuffed Animal Douglas Cuddle Toy kitty $39.95 Maine Coon Cat Tiny Miniature One Christmas Ornament Silver - Delightful!Maine Coon Cat Tiny Miniature One Christmas Ornament Silver - Delightful! $12.95
Demdaco Sweet Maine Coon Cat Silver Grey 10 Inch Children's Soft Plush StuffedDemdaco Sweet Maine Coon Cat Silver Grey 10 Inch Children's Soft Plush Stuffed $41.70 Nwt Demdaco Gray Maine Coon Cat Sitting Soft Plush Stuffed Black White SilverNwt Demdaco Gray Maine Coon Cat Sitting Soft Plush Stuffed Black White Silver $28.50
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay