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History of the Maine Coon

Updated: Jun 12, 2022

As can be implied from the name, East Coast Maine Coon Rescue (ECMCR) focuses on rescuing Maine Coon and Maine Coon mixed cats and kittens. Our mission is to save Maine Coons from kill shelters and other bad situations. We focus on education to allow proper care for this unique breed. The history of the Maine Coon is not as clear-cut as you may think. There are many legends and theories surrounding how they came to be a distinct breed.


Maine Coons are one of the most famous cat breeds in New England and most of the United States. They are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, reaching weights of up to 25 lbs. They are known for their thick coats and gentle personalities.


This often grants them the nickname “the gentle giant.” Maine Coons are loyal, affectionate, and sweet in nature. They make wonderful family cats and retain a sense of playfulness all their lives. They receive “Maine” within their breed name from having adapted to harsh winters and the natural environment of Maine.


Here are a few of the well-known theories as to how they came about:


 

Cross-Breeding



One of the most common theories is that they are hybrids. Some suspect a domesticated cat cross-bred with either a raccoon or a bobcat. This occurrence is highly unlikely, however, since the bobcat is a lynx species, meaning they are not able to breed with normal cats. Most theorists chalk it up to an “old wives tale.”


 

Ship Cats



The strongest theory is that Maine Coons descended from European ship cats. What are “ship cats” you may ask? They are simply cats ship captains would keep onboard to control the mice and rats. In this way, these pests would not destroy the cargo and inner workings of the ships. From this relationship, some ship captains developed strong bonds with their cats and even took care of their litters of kittens.


Another important note within this theory is that Maine was a common ship harbor two hundred years ago. Ships would dock to get repaired, and their sailors would go on land to take a break from the sea. Oftentimes, sea-faring families would bring along their cats as they settled into coastal towns. Captains would also retire and bring theirs as well. The most mentioned cat in this theory is the long-haired Angora. It is believed Maine Coons descended from this breed.


 

Captain Charles Coon


Photo from https://mainecoontycoon.com/myths/.

In the 1800s, there was a specific ship captain by the name of Charles Coon. When he would anchor his ship in the New England ports, he would bring along his cats. While on land, they would breed with the local feral cats and have long-haired kittens. When these litters began to show up along the east coast, they were deemed “Coon’s Cats” because of their similar appearance to his own. It is unknown if his name contributed to the breed or if it is simply a coincidence.


 

Vikings



Some think Maine Coons are descendants of Norwegian Forest cats. This breed made its way to the United States aboard Scandinavian ships, providing company for the Vikings and mouse control. Nordic explorers arrived in the U.S. long before other Europeans. This is a brief theory, and each town in New England will have its own original story to tell.


 

Marie Antoinette’s Angora Cats


Photo from https://www.ranker.com/list/first-hand-descriptions-of-marie-antoinette/gordon-cameron.

Turkish and Persian Angora cats were common household pets in the Palace of Versailles. King Louis XVI was not very fond of Marie Antoinette's cats due to their rapid rate of reproduction. The family was arrested at Versailles in 1793, so Captain Samuel Clough planned an escape for them to the state of Maine. There was an anchored ship that traveled the merchant route between France and Maine. This ship would take the family to Maine and safety from execution. The ship’s captain and his crew prepared the ship for royalty with luxurious furniture, decor, clothing, and a family of Angora cats since Marie was so fond of them. Although rescue attempts failed, the ship captain sailed to the planned destination. He arrived in the coastal town of Wiscasset, where his wife and large house awaited him. Similar to the ship cats theory, the Angora cats most likely arrived in Maine and bred with the local cats.


 

Natural Selection


Norwegian Forest Cat from https://www.magzter.com/stories/Animals-and-Pets/Animaltalk-Magazine/The-Norwegian-Forest-Cat.


According to Dr. Christine Hoyt of Cats on Call Hospital in Scarborough, natural selection played a large part in the evolution of the Maine Coon. Many say they have a resemblance to Norwegian Forest cats, which Hoyt explains through what she calls “convergent evolution.” This occurs when selection pressures, in this case, a harsh climate, cause two unrelated species to exhibit similar characteristics. These include large size, large feet, a thick double coat of fur, and tufts of fur on their ears and toes. All of this extra fur helped the cats stay warm and survive a cold climate. It is proven that larger animals do better in cold climates, a phenomenon called Bergmann’s Rule. From this point forward, people have bred Maine Coons to become even larger in size.


As the complete history of the Maine Coon breed is uncertain, we can gather that these cats traveled far distances from Europe to the United States to become the household favorites we know today. Our mission at ECMCR is to rescue, foster, and find loving homes for our Maine Coons. If interested in adopting or fostering one of these “gentle giants,” visit our website at www.ecmcr.org.




References


Cosgrove, N. (2022, January 17). Maine Coon: Facts, origin & history. Hepper. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.hepper.com/maine-coon-cat-facts/.


The history of the Maine Coon. Marwood Maine Coons. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.marwoodmainecoons.com/copy-of-about-us.


Maikru Admin. (2022, February 18). Maine Coon history. MAIKRU. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://maikru.com/knowledge-base/maine-coon-history/.


Cover image from Photo by Chloe Leis on Unsplash





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