Cute, strong and smart giant cats: top interesting facts about Maine Coons

Despite their impressive size, Maine Coons have gained popularity all over the world and have become one of the most beloved cat breeds. Maine Coons are considered the longest among domestic cats.

Adults can reach 25-41 cm at the withers, and their total length with the tail reaches 120 cm (tail length is up to 36 cm). This was reported by Focus.

Barivel the cat from Italy became the Guinness World Record holder in 2018 as the longest domestic cat in the world - its length is 120 cm. The previous record belonged to Stewie the Maine Coon, who measured 122.5 cm.

In addition to its length, this breed is also notable for its considerable weight: males can weigh 5.9-8.2 kg (and castrated ones - up to 15 kg), females - 3.6-5.4 kg (sterilized ones - up to 7.5-8.5 kg).

A variety of colors

Although the most common color among Maine Coons is brown and striped, they can have a wide variety of coat colors, from solid to tortoiseshell or tricolor. The only exceptions are lavender and chocolate shades, which are not specially bred.

Unusual voice characteristics

Maine Coons don't just meow - they chirp! In addition to the sounds familiar to cats, they emit specific trills, which are a mixture of purring and meowing. This "communication" further emphasizes their unique character.

Official symbol of the state of Maine

The Maine Coon originated in the American state of Maine. Their thick, water-repellent coat and fluffy paws help them withstand the harsh winters of New England.

There are several legends about their origin. According to one of them, the cats came to the United States during the French Revolution, when Queen Marie Antoinette tried to escape and sent her pets on a journey. According to another version, the breed descended from Viking cats that landed in New England in the 18th century.

"Dogs" among cats

Maine Coons are known for their gentleness, high intelligence, and love of people. They are often called the "dogs of the cat world" because of their sociable nature and ability to learn tricks. They can even play fetch!

These cats get along well with children, are not afraid to be held, and easily adapt to family life.

Read also: Stress in a dog: a dog handler tells how to help your pet calm down

The first cloned Maine Coon

In 2004, a cat named Little Nikki became the world's first cloned pet. Her owner paid $50,000 to create a genetic copy of her beloved cat and was amazed at the similarities between them.

Instagram stars

The popularity of Maine Coons is growing every year. In the XIX century, a representative of this breed even won the first cat show in Madison Square Garden.

Today they are real stars of social media. There are more than 9 million photos on Instagram with the hashtag #mainecoon. One of the most famous representatives of the breed is Lotus the cat from Sweden, who has more than 317 thousand followers.

Maine Coons are not just cats, but real aristocrats among furry pets who win hearts with their grace, friendliness, and unique character.

Earlier, we talked about the top dog breeds that don't get along with children.

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