I’ve been reading lately about Marjorie’s adventures with her Maine Coon Cat, Jasmine Dee. And something in the back of my head says, “Aren’t Maine Coon Cats the ones with the weird extra toes?” So… I figure it’s time to take a look at the breed!
Maine Coon Cats are quite popular for a breed that was actually declared extinct in the 1950s! It seems that rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated!
No one is quite clear on how the breed developed. Ooh, mystique! People used to think that the Maine Coon came about when domestic cats brought by ship to America mated with American bobcats. The tufted ears and tufted toes on the Maine Coon are similar to those on the bobcat. Or, the Maine Coon may actually have been a crossbreed of cat with raccoon! Look at the ringy tail on that cat! However, genetics won’t let cats breed with either bobcats OR raccoons.
So… maybe Maine Coon Cats came over with the Vikings. Maybe they were the hairy crew for a cat-loving sea captain. Or maybe they were part of a plot to smuggle Marie Antoinette out of France to safety in Maine — her longhaired cats plus American cats equals Maine Coon Cats?
Most likely, the Maine Coon developed from the family pets of colonists who came to the New World. Sailors and trading ships added longhaired cats into the mix, and the hardy Maine Coon was born. These cats are known for their hardy, all-weather coat and hunting skill. Think about the snowy winters in Maine — wouldn’t you want a long, dense, waterproof coat in that weather?
These cats are big’uns, too. They can weigh up to twenty pounds (9kg) or more! They are smart, freedom-loving cats who appreciate the chance to roam the yard once in a while. Temperament wise, they are loving, intelligent, and adapt easily to other animals in the family — even dogs! Maine Coon Cats are slow to mature, taking up to three years to reach full size. They can be very vocal, giving you a piece of their mind in meows, trills, and chirps.
Maine Coons are considered America’s first show cat, winning big in early cat shows in the 1870s and onward. It was after the turn of the century that the breed started to decline in popularity, thanks in part to the influx of exotic breeds like Persians and Siamese. But they did not disappear completely, as was thought in the 1950s.
So… looks like the extra toes thing was way off. Tufted toes, yes. Extra toes, no. But the history of the Maine Coon Cat is much more interesting than their weird toes — from the myths of their origin to their winning tradition and great temperament.
Maybe if we ask nicely, Marjorie will share some picures of her Maine Coon Cat! Pretty please?