Maine Coons are Native American long haired cats. They are shrouded in folklore and myth as their origins are quite unknown. One of the popular stories states that Marie Antoinette, the French Queen, tried to escape her execution by seeking the help of a certain Captain Samuel Clough. She loaded his ship with some of her most prized possessions, which included six Turkish Angora cats. Even though Marie Antoinette could not make it to the US, her cats reached there safely. Once ashore, the cats mated with other breeds of short haired cats, which gave rise to the Maine Coons.

Maine Coons are rugged cats that are characterized by their large bone structure, thick fur and rectangular shape. Maine Coon cats are easily the largest domestic cats in terms of size. The weight of the male cats is anywhere from fifteen to twenty five pounds while the females weigh between ten and fifteen pounds. The height of a fully grown adult Maine Coon varies between ten and sixteen inches, while the length can go up to forty inches. Being large sized cats, they also have large claws.

The body of a Maine Coon is built to withstand the harsh weather of Maine. The body’s build is muscular and solid so that it can withstand its own weight. The broad chest and rectangular body shape takes time to mature in a Maine Coon. Physical maturity of this breed is attained when it reaches the age of three or four.

Maine Coons have long or medium haired coats. Depending on the season, the density of fur in this cat undergoes a change. It is thick in winter and lighter during the summers. The coat is soft to touch and has a silky feel to it. The texture of the coat varies according to the coat color. The coat length is short near the shoulders and head, and long near the flanks and stomach. Compared to other long haired cats, a Maine Coon requires much less grooming since its undercoat has a very light density. Maine Coons come in the standard cat colors of black, brown, tabby and white. Tabby is the most commonly seen color in this breed.

Being a cat breed native to harsh weather conditions, the Maine Coon has several physical characteristics that enable it to survive the cold winters of Maine. They have a thick water resistant coat, which has a long and shaggy rear and underside. This comes handy when they are walking through snow or sitting on ice. The long tail is thick and furry, which prevents it from sinking into the snow and if necessary, it can also be wrapped around the shoulders and face of the kitten in order to protect it from the wind and snow. They have large snow shoe shaped paws, which make it easy to walk on snow. These cats have tufts of fur inside the ears that help in keeping their ears warm.

Maine Coon cats have more than an average intelligence, which is why they are very easy to train. The male cats have a clownish streak whereas the females are much more dignified. Maine Coons are affectionate and playful cats, which make good companions.