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The Maine
Coon is one
of the largest
breeds of
domestic cat,
known for its
high
intelligence and
playfulness as
well as its
distinctive
physical
appearance. The
breed is one of
the oldest
natural breeds
in North America
and originated
from New England,
specifically
native to the
state of Maine,
(in fact, the
Maine Coon is
the official
Maine State Cat),making
it America's
first indigenous
show cat. The
Maine Coon cat
is known as "the
gentle giant."
Maine Coons are
very large and
energetic cats,
sometimes
weighing up to
around 11-12
kilograms ; the
average weight
is 6 to 9
kilograms for
adult males and
less for females.
Male Maine Coons
may grow to a
length in excess
of 1 meter.
Growth to full
size often takes
longer than for
most cats, with
Maine Coons
usually reaching
full size at age
four or five.
Maine Coons are
recognized in
all colors,
including
tortoiseshell,
except for
chocolate,
lavender, ticked
tabby, and the
point-restricted
("Siamese")
pattern. Eye
color also
varies widely.
All patterns may
have green,
green-gold, or
gold. Blue eyes,
or one blue eye
with one gold
eye, are
possible in
white coat cats.
They share
similar facial
markings, for
example, a
distinct "M"
shape on the
forehead.
Maine Coons have
medium-long,
dense fur, with
longer hair, or
a ruff, on their
chests similar
to the mane of a
lion (which is
why the breed is
sometimes
humorously
called the "Mane
Coon"). Their
fur consists of
two layers - an
undercoat and an
additional layer
of longer guard
hairs, which
gives the breed
their key
physical feature.
The fur is
generally very
soft. Maine
Coons have long
hair on the
backs of their
legs (called
pantaloons or
britches) and
between their
toes which helps
to keep warm in
the cold. They
also have bushy
plumed tails and
broad, angular
heads, squared-off
muzzles and wide-set
ears topped with
tufts of fur (known
as 'Lynx-tips').
Their tails can
be so bushy that
the Maine Coon
has earned the
nickname the 'tail
with a cat
attached to it'.
Maine Coons are
a breed
distinguished by
high
intelligence,
dexterity, and
playfulness.
They have a
tendency to use
their front paws
extensively (often
curling the paw
round to pick
objects up) and
as a consequence
will easily
 learn to open
cabinet doors,
turn on water
faucets, flush
toilets, or pick
up small objects.
Some Maine Coons
will eat, or
even drink, from
their paws,
rather than from
the bowl itself.
Due to their
above-average
intelligence,
Maine
Coons are
known to be one
of the easiest
cat breeds to
train. Maine
Coons are noted
for their
ability to trill
their meows,
which sounds
like a
combination of a
purr and a meow,
and they tend to
make this sound
when happy or
startled. When
they do meow, it
tends to be very
high in pitch,
in comparison to
other breeds.
They are noted
for rarely
eating alone,
preferring to
eat in the
company of other
cats or humans.
Maine Coons are
not known to be
"lap cats" but
of course, this
may depend on
the individual
cat and some may
prefer laps.
Some Maine Coons
enjoy
 playing
with, but not
usually in,
water. They may
dip toys in
their water
bowls before
playing with
them, or just
tip the water
bowl over. They
may also skim
their paws
across the
surface of their
water bowl.
Maine Coons can
be very dog-like
in their
behavior.
Playing fetch is
a favorite game.
As with dogs,
they will bring
their ball,
drop it at the feet
of their
intended
playmate and
wait for the
ball to bethrown. They
will often
accompany their
owner on chores
like getting the
mail, walking
the dog, and may
also come when
beckoned, even
if outside.The
cat is very calm
and listens to
you.
Informations
take from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon |
