Ever heard of a Maine Coon being half raccoon? Photos of cats with raccoon-like markings can lead one to think they’re a hybrid. But it’s not true! Read on to find out why.
The Maine Coon is a giant of cats, renowned for being loyal and loving. Its physical characteristics, sociable character, and intelligence set it apart from other breeds of cats.
This breed originated in the US state of Maine. It is believed to have come from the combination of domestic cats and wild animals such as raccoons. It is uncertain what longhaired cats were crossed with raccoons to create this breed.
The Maine Coon has a unique coat. It is long and luxurious and comes in a variety of colors, such as black or gray tabby and grey-ticked tabby, or silvery blue or brown mackerel tabby patterns. Some also have white feet and chest markings, which look similar to raccoons!
This impressive coat has made the Maine Coon a highly sought-after breed. It has been one of the most popular breeds registered by The Cat Fanciers’ Association since 2012.
Cat vs. Raccoon Classification
| Classification | Cats | Raccoons |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae | Procyonidae |
| Genus | Felis | Procyon |
| Species | F. catus | P. lotor |
History of the Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is an ancient hybrid of cats found in North America. Some say it’s the offspring of a raccoon and a domestic cat. There’s not much evidence to prove this, but its appearance – varying shades of tabby-striped black and browns resembling raccoons – backs up the story.
To survive in their cold, wild home, they developed a long-haired coat that kept them warm and protected them against predators. Furthermore, this coat gave them the skills to hunt rodents when other cats couldn’t.
Though records of their existence didn’t start until the mid-19th century, they were likely around before then. It’s even rumored that Marie Antoinette brought them as she tried to flee France!
Today, Main Coons are popular for their good nature and trainability. They can even be seen in circuses!
Physical Characteristics of the Maine Coon
| Weight | 8-18 Pounds |
| Life Span | 10-13 Years |
| Good With | Children Seniors Dogs Cats Families |
| Temperament | Sociable Affectionate |
| Intelligence | High |
| Shedding Amount | Frequent |
| Playfulness | High |
| Activity Level | Active |
| Vocalness | When Necessary |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | White Black / Ebony Red / Orange Blue / Gray Cream / Beige / Tan Chocolate / Brown / Sable |
| Patterns | Bi-Color Solid Calico / Tri-Color Color Point Tabby |
| Other Traits | Easy To Train Requires Lots Of Grooming Friendly Toward Humans Friendly Toward Other Pets Friendly Toward Strangers Prone To Health Issues High Prey Drive Strong Loyalty Tendencies Tolerates Being Picked Up |
The Maine Coon is a domestic cat found in North America. It is the largest of its breed. It has long, fluffy fur and a rectangular-shaped body. It also has a wide face with jowls and a shaggy tail with tufts of fur at its ears, paws, and toes. Its coloring can be black, brown, white, or tabby stripes.
These cats reach a full size between four and five years old but can grow further into their twenties. Maine Coons are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and calm personality. They also tend to talk to their owners and have a strong hunting instinct. Because of this, they should be kept safely contained.
Behavioral Traits of the Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a domestic breed resembling the wild raccoon. Where they come from is uncertain, but some think they were a hybrid of cats and raccoons from New England. Despite this, Maine Coons have none of the raccoon’s behaviors.
They are active and like to explore. They also have soft voices which they use to communicate with their humans and other pets in the house. Maine Coons are fond of playing, rather than always asking for attention.
Although they look like raccoons, Maine Coons are cats. They are intelligent and entertaining.
Comparison of the Maine Coon and Raccoon
To answer the question, “Is Maine Coon part of a raccoon?” it is important to understand the differences between the two.
The Maine Coon is a breed of domestic cat. It hails from the east coast of America and has a long shaggy coat. This can be in various colors, from black or white to tabby. Its eyes can be either yellow or green. These cats live for 10-13 years, and some even longer. They are gentle and loving, often called “gentle giants“.
Raccoons are native to North America and found in forests, woodlands, and wetlands. They have black fur with white stripes across their face, giving them a mask-like appearance. Raccoons have longer front legs, which makes them very good at climbing. They usually live 6-9 years in the wild and up to 11 years in captivity. Raccoons can be fierce and aren’t suited as pets due to their destructive behavior if kept in captivity for long periods.
Maine Coons and raccoons have many physical differences; however, they both have bushy tails that look similar. This could lead one to believe they may be related.
Genetic Makeup of the Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a special breed of cat. It is believed to be the result of a genetic mutation in the domestic cat population. It stands out from other cats with its size, weight, and wooly coat.
Polydactyly is a genetic variation that may explain the larger size of the Maine Coon, as it causes up to seven toes per paw. This trait is also seen in raccoons, indicating they may be related. It is also thought that their fur includes raccoon mutations.
Further studies have revealed further differences between the Maine Coon and other cats. It has multiple copies of a long coat gene. This gene gives the cat longer fur and a thicker undercoat. It also has striped genes which give it a red coloring, rather than tabby markings seen in Bengal cats or Oriental Shorthairs. Blue eyes are caused by pigmentation genes, not white fur-associated mutations found in Siamese cats. Lastly, the hock joints on its back legs are larger than usual.
Popular Myths about the Maine Coon
Maine Coons have been around for centuries, and with this time comes the growth of myths. A quick search on the Internet will find you stories claiming Maine Coons possess extraordinary powers. One tall tale is that a raccoon mated with a Maine Coon female, creating a hybrid! Let’s look at two of the most popular myths about this breed:
- Myth #1: Maine Coons Are Partly Raccoon. This is false. Both cats and raccoons have similar coloring, but they are not able to interbreed due to their genetic differences.
- Myth #2: Maine Coons Are Very Intelligent. No proof exists that any cat breed is exceptionally intelligent. Intelligence differs greatly depending on individual characteristics and environment. So, take any such claims with a grain of salt!
Are Cat-Raccoon Hybrids Possible in Real Life?
Although some individuals claim that they have successfully mated cats with raccoons, experts state that this is not possible in reality. Domesticated cats have a limited number of species that can successfully reproduce. Moreover, their genetic composition poses significant challenges for interbreeding.
Conclusion
No, Maine Coon cats are not part of the raccoon family. They are a hybrid breed of domestic cats. Their thick coat and large size may be due to genetic material from raccoons, but this is not proven. There is no scientific evidence that Maine Coons are descended from wild raccoons. They have been around for centuries and have influenced the cat-breeding community, but the idea that they are related to raccoons is only a guess.
