Large cats evoke affection and a desire to stroke their fluffy side. Some representatives of any breed can grow large and well-fed, but there are a variety of cats that generally look larger than their counterparts.
Farm cat
Maine Coon is a large cat breed. The weight of males can reach twelve kilograms, and among lovers of these animals there are legends about cats that weighed all fifteen. These giant mouse catchers appeared in the northeastern United States in Maine. The harsh climate of the region influenced the emergence of such an unusual breed: it was the large fluffy cats that were best adapted to life in such conditions. Maine Coons were kept by local farmers, as these cats perfectly caught mice and other small rodents that threatened the economy.
Maine Coon appearance
Maine Coon is a large, muscular cat with wide strong legs and large ears. On the head and neck, the hair of these animals is short, on the back and sides it lengthens. In addition, Maine Coons have a luxurious fluffy collar and tassels on their already long ears. The color of the coat in representatives of this breed can vary. The color of cats can be black, white, gray, brown, as well as any combination of these shades. There are also bright red Maine Coons.
The fruit of love of a cat and a raccoon
"Maine Coon" means "Maine raccoon". The breed got this name due to the similarity of animals with raccoons. For a long time, people who did not understand biology believed that the shaggy Maine Coon with tassels on the ears and a characteristic striped color was the result of a love affair between a raccoon and a cat. Of course, there are no raccoons among the ancestors of Maine Coons, but the name stuck with the breed.
The nature of a huge cat
Despite its impressive size, the Maine Coon is a meek and docile animal. These cats are strongly attached to the owner, for which they received the nickname cat-dog. They can, like a devoted dog, walk around the house for a person all day, watching what he is doing, and patiently waiting until the owner is free and can pay attention to them. At the same time, Maine Coons are not intrusive. They will not lie on the keyboard when you work at the laptop, and they will not fit between your face and the book while you read. Raccoon cats are usually wary of strangers, but do not show aggression.
In appearance, the Maine Coon may seem clumsy, but in fact he is very active. It is better to start this breed by people living in their houses or spacious apartments, since the Maine Coon loves to run, hunt for a ball or a bow. Until recently, the ancestors of domestic cats caught mice on farms, so the hunting instincts in them are very strong.
