The Largest Domestic Cat Breed Can Reach A Staggering Size

There are cat people, there are dog people, and then there are Maine Coon cat people. One of North America's oldest cat breeds, the Maine Coon is distinct in many ways, with its defining characteristic being its size. These regal animals have muscular bodies and a thick coat ending in a bushy tail that's often longer than their bodies. Weighing in at up to 20 pounds, they can grow to be over 40 inches long,making them one of the largest domestic cat breeds out there. 

Despite their imposing physicality, Maine Coons are surprisingly laid-back, and are known for being excellent house pets that get along with children, well-trained dogs, and make for ideal lap cats. But don't mistake their docile nature for weakness — they are strong, agile animals whose vocalizations somewhat unexpectedly tend to come in short bouts of delicate squeaks and trills rather than prominent meowing. 

Fittingly, the story of the breed's origin is wrapped in as much fuzzy legend as the animal itself, ranging from myths of the cat being descended from long-haired members of Marie Antoinette's entourage to even wilder stories of it being a product of a cat-raccoon interbreeding event. And, while their actual origin is far less fantastical, their appearance makes it easy to see why they've earned a mythical reputation. So, let's clear the fur on this beloved, unique cat breed to learn the truth behind its origins and why it's so special. 

The Maine Coon's origins are steeped in folklore suggesting it descended from long-haired cats owned by European royalty or even from pairings between semi-feral cats and raccoons — a biological impossibility. The breed's true beginnings are still a matter of debate, but the most plausible and accepted theory involves matings between New England cat breeds and longhair breeds that were brought over from Europe to the United States. The breed of today is likely the result of these two populations producing a long-haired, hardy cat that could weather the harsh Maine winters. The first record of a Maine Coon shows up in 1861, as the breed became increasingly popular in the 19th century and into the 20th century.

The Main Coons mature relatively slowly, reaching full size at around 3 to 4 years of age. Males typically weigh anywhere from 13 to 20 pounds, while females range from 8 to 12 pounds. World record holders have registered even more impressive measurements. From 2010 to 2015, a cat named Mymains Stewart Gilligan (Stewie, for short) held the titled of World Record Largest Maine Coon, coming in at 48.5 inches in length. After his death, the 46.6-inch Ludo of Wakefield, U.K. earned the title.

Maine Coons feature a wide range of color in both their fur and eyes. Common eye colors include gold and green, with blue eyes showing up in cats with white coats (facts that have to do with a cat's chromosomal makeup). And their coats are remarkable, being composed of a longer topcoat of rougher hair and an undercoat of finer, denser hairs. Both combine to keep water and snow away from the body and keep the animal warm, even in severe winter conditions.

Maine Coons are affectionately known as gentle giants due to their friendly and sociable nature. They are highly intelligent cats, which makes them relatively easy to train, even to the point of playing fetch. One of the breed's most endearing traits is its distinctive vocalizations. Unlike the typical meow of other cat breeds, Maine Coons frequently communicate through a series of chirps and trills. The breed is also known for its fascination with water, which it exhibits by playing with water dishes and dipping its paws in running faucets.

An intriguing physical characteristic of Main Coons is their polydactylism — a genetic trait resulting in extra toes. It was once so common in the breed that it showed up in 40% of Maine Coons, and is considered an adaptation that helps them walk in the snow. Today, the issue of polydactyl Maine Coons remains a contentious one among owners and breeders, with some official registries often listing the trait as undesirable and not allowing it in their breeding programs.

Cats hold a special place in the hearts and minds of humans, even influencing the way we think about scientific phenomena (have you ever heard of Schrodinger's Cat?). You can even use cats to do a science experiment of your own.