Cat encyclopedia
Maine Coon
A large cat with a long coat and a generous tail.
At a glance
- Entry type
- Cat breed
- Origin / context
- Maine, United States
- Coat
- Long or medium-long
Name & background
The breed developed in the northeastern United States and is associated with Maine. It appeared at nineteenth-century cat shows; stories about raccoon ancestry are myths.
[1]Three everyday scenes
See this cat in three scenes
Each illustrated cat appears in three scenes: exploring, playing and resting. This directory includes breeds as well as coat colors and patterns; illustrations do not predict personality, and a real cat’s preferences show up in daily life.
Recognizing the look
A long body, substantial paws and a bushy tail are characteristic. Coat length can differ between the shoulders, belly and sides.
[1]
Watch how this cat plays
- Does your cat go straight toward a new toy, or watch for a while first?
- Which part catches their interest: chasing, touching, or peeking from a hiding spot?
- When the game ends, do they stay nearby or choose a quiet place of their own?
What to notice at home
After play, notice which resting place your cat chooses. It may walk over, settle nearby, or go somewhere quiet on its own.
These facts describe breeds and appearances. Each cat’s preferences are best learned through everyday observation.
Get to know the cat in front of you
See where it rests, what distance it keeps and how it likes to play. A breed or coat label cannot tell you that.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked ·
The encyclopedia summaries are adapted and translated from the Wikipedia articles below, with contributors listed in their histories. These summaries are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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