What Does a Maine Coon Cat Look Like
When you read about a Maine Coon cat available for adoption, you might wonder, "What Does a Maine Coon cat Look Like?" Maine Coons have a specific body type, but their coats come in a variety of colors and patterns.
A Little Background Information
The Maine Coon cat was originally a working cat that was prized for its skill as a mouser. Brought to Maine early in the history of the United States, the Maine Coon adapted well to cold, rough surroundings. Its appearance today is the result of many of those adaptations. There are an abundance of stories as to how the Maine Coon got its name. One biologically unlikely story is that a long-haired cat and a raccoon mated; the resulting offspring was said to be the Maine Coon. The coats of many Maine Coons have tabby patterns. These cats also have long bushy tales that make their appearance reminiscent of raccoons. This resemblance to raccoons is the likely origin of the name.
What Does a Maine Coon Cat Look Like?
The Cat Fanciers' Association is the primary authority on cat breeds in the United States. On their website, they have detailed and specific information on Maine Coon cats and how these cats traits are scored at cat shows.
Maine Coon cats are not identified by their color or patterns as are, for example, Siamese cats. Instead, their appearance is essential in identifying them without genetic testing. Here are some of the characteristics that will answer the question, "What Does a Maine Coon cat Look Like?"
- Coat - the Maine Coon has a smooth, shaggy coat that protects it from rain and snow. The dense, smooth fur lets water easily run off the cat.
- Head - The Maine Coon head is medium in width and longer than that of the average cat in length. The muzzle is slightly square, and the nose is relatively smooth. In profile, this cat has a somewhat regal appearance.
- Ears - The ears are large with tufts. They are wide at the base and taper to a point at the top.
- Eyes - The eyes are wide and show a lot of expression.
- Body - The chest is wide, and the cat is very muscular. The Maine Coon is normally fairly large. The cat may not reach full size until it is two to three years old. Thus, a young cat may be relatively small due to the slower than average maturation of this breed. A grown female Maine Coon usually weighs between nine and 12 pounds, and male Coons are usually in the 13 to 18 pound range.
- Legs - The legs are muscular and of medium length. The paws are large and round with five toes on the front paws and four toes on the back paws. The paws are heavily tufted and provide the Maine Coon with built-in "snowshoes".
- Tail - Wide at the base, the tail tapers to the tip. The fur on the tail is long and may appear bushy; this gives rise to the mythical association with raccoons.
- Coat - The coat is heavy and protects the Maine Coon from rugged winters. The fur is shorter on the back and shoulders, probably to avoid entanglement in the underbrush. The cat's underside and hind-leg fur is heavier to protect the belly and legs from the snow and ice.
Maine Coon Cat Colors and Patterns
Maine Coon cats come in a variety of colors and patterns. Some of the solid colors are:
- White with pink nose and toes
- Black with black or brown nose and toes
- Blue with blue nose and toes
- Red with brick red nose and toes
- Cream with pink nose and toes
Maine Coons also come in a variety of patterns and colors:
- Classic tabby
- Mackerel tabby
- Patched tabby
- Bi-color (two colors)
- Parti-color, including calico
- Shaded or smoke color
It's clear that it would be impossible to identify a Maine Coon cat simply by its color, but careful examination of its physical characteristics makes it relatively easy to identify a Maine Coon cat. Of course, some Maine Coon hybrids, or mixed breed cats, may look like pure-bred Maine Coons. Acquisition of a Maine Coon with papers from a reputable breeder or genetic testing is the only way to assure that you have a pure-bred Maine Coon.
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