# Maine Coon (*Felis catus*) A Maine Coon is a large, fluffy cat with tufted ears and a friendly nature. It is playful but also enjoys relaxing with its family. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Homes, barns, and farms; enjoys both indoors and outdoors - **Also known as:** Coon Cat ![Maine Coon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426025/objects/4437.jpg) ## Appearance The Maine Coon is a large, sturdy cat with a shaggy, water-resistant double coat and a long, bushy tail. They have distinct tufted ears, often with "lynx tips," and a prominent ruff of fur around their neck. Their varied coat colors and patterns, like tabby, solid, or bi-color, enhance their wild appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Felis ## Interesting facts - Early sailors often kept Maine Coons on ships to control rodents during voyages. - Maine Coons can take up to five years to reach their full adult size! - Some Maine Coons are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes on their paws. - Their bushy tails are often as long as their bodies, helping them balance. ## Special abilities - **Arctic Armor:** Maine Coons have a thick, shaggy, water-resistant coat that helps them stay warm and dry in cold, harsh weather. - **Snowshoe Paws:** Maine Coons have large, tufted paws that act like natural snowshoes, helping them walk on snow without sinking. - **Whispering Hunter:** Maine Coons can make soft chirps and trills, rather than just meows, to communicate and stalk prey subtly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-110 cm - **Weight:** 4-10 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-5 - **Gestation:** 63-65 days ## Diet & Feeding Maine Coons are carnivores who eat meat and protein to stay healthy and strong. - **Primary Foods:** Commercial Cat Food, Mice, Small Birds, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Maintains rodent populations. - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Acts as a predator, especially in barns. - **Hunts:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — May hunt small birds outdoors. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Pet along the back and avoid rough tugging on tail or fur. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Maine Coon? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Maine Coon? 70-110 cm ### How much does Maine Coon weigh? 4-10 kg ### How long does Maine Coon live? 12-15 years ### How fast can Maine Coon move? 35 km/h ### What does Maine Coon eat? Maine Coons are carnivores who eat meat and protein to stay healthy and strong. ### Where is Maine Coon usually found? Homes, barns, and farms; enjoys both indoors and outdoors ### How does Maine Coon hunt? Ambush ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Maine Coon: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maine-coon)