Maine
Coon Cats
When a Maine Coon cat walks in a room, every head
turns. This is perhaps the best description every owner of this
feline has to say. The reason for this is because the Maine Coon
cat breed has an amazing look, as a particularly large feline, possessing
long fur coupled with the stance of a wild animal.
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Young
Maine Coon Cat |
Maine Coon cats are a relatively old breed that dates back to the
19th century.
Maine Coon cats were kept as pets during colonial times when settlers
first arrived in the Americas by boat. They brought with them some
felines, which could get rid of the rodents.
Because of the Maine Coon cats' furry and dense coat, a lot of
myths spread through town, some of which were ridiculously impossible.
They say that the Maine Coon cat is a cross between a raccoon and
a kitty, which is genetically impossible. But, the myth was a result
of the similarity between the raccoon's coat and the coat of this
breed. Some also say that the bobcats are the ancestors of these
furry felines.
Origins
The main purpose of the arrival of Maine Coon cats was the need
for pest control. When they arrived in Maine, a state which is known
for its cold weather, these cats had to be capable of enduring nasty
winter conditions and keeping homes mouse-free.
After many generations, the Maine Coon cats evolved, and only the
toughest and the most able-bodied ones survived. It should also
be noted that the Maine Coon cats' fur adapts to the weather conditions,
and this results in the long fluffy fur that we now see and admire.
Nature has its own way of protecting its inhabitants, and being
part of nature, these kitties developed and evolved through time,
surviving all the way up to the present. That also explains why
the fur of the polar bear is double the thickness when compared
to a grizzly bear, and why a mammoth during the ice age had long
hair when compared to it's descendants in the present time.
At present, Maine Coon cats are the main attraction among pet shows.
They have become a distinct cat breed since then and are recognized
by some of the leading cat owner's association and pet lovers around
the world.
In the advent of popular crossbreeding schemes happening elsewhere,
the Maine Coon cat still maintains its purebred nature, as some
organizations and individuals still work on maintaining its glory
and resurrecting the breed of Maine Coon lines.
Appearance
This type of cat mainly has a robust appearance, and the adult
Maine Coon cat can reach up to 25 pounds, with the females weighing
up to 14 pounds. Unlike other ordinary felines, Maine Coon cats
mature slowly and will reach the age of four years before achieving
full body size.
The Maine Coon cats' head is medium in size and well balanced,
and it is coupled with big wide expressive eyes and a square shaped
muzzle. Maine Coon cats may also have a mane of hair around their
necks, inspiring some to call the breed "Mane Coon Cats".
The hair of the Maine Coon cat is its main attraction. It is silky,
fluffy, longer and thick on the lower area, especially around the
stomach and tapering up to the shoulder. The most prevalent color
scheme is brown with gray tabby markings.
As with any other cat's behavior, the Maine Coon is as playful
and energetic as others would be, but can be reserved in front of
strangers, thereby giving it an aura of mystery.
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