Maine Coon cats are sturdy, long haired cats with thick coats. They are native to North America. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Maine Coon cat is it bushy, brush-like tail.

In colonial times in the United States, the Maine Coon cat was prized for its mousing ability. Legends developed to explain the origin of the Maine Coon like the belief that these cats were the offspring of feral cats and raccoons which is scientifically impossible.

When considering their origin in Maine, the physical characteristics are obvious adaptations to the brutal winters there. Maine Coon cats grow thick, long haired coats and have tufted toes.

Maine Coon cats have rectangular bodies. They have large, round eyes. Maine Coon cats can be either copper, green, gold, green-gold, blue, or odd-eyes. Blue eyes and odd-eyes are only acceptable for white or bi-colored Maine Coons.

The large, heavily-tufted ears are set wide on the Maine Coons medium-sized head. Maine Coon cats may have a frontal ruff which is considered a desirable characteristic by breed standards.

White, blue, red, cream, and black are the possible solid colorings for Maine Coon cats. The possible colorings other than the solid colors are tabby, shaded, smoke, calico, tortoiseshell, and bi-colored.
Maine Coon kittens are slow to develop. They only reach full size at three to five years of age. Kittens of other cat breeds often reach adult size by the time they are two years old.

The average weight range for a Maine Coon cat is twelve to twenty pounds with the females weighing less than the males. They are heavy-boned and broad chested. They are considered to be medium to large sized cats.

A prospective cat owner should contact a reputable Maine Coon breeder. There may be a waiting list for a Maine Coon kitten as there often is for many cat breeds.