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Mother Nature has a thing for making some of its creatures… big. Big trees, big flowers, big fruits, and last but not least, big animals. Nature doesn’t like to be outdone by anything else, so when she decided to make an animal that could become a potential candidate for “Everyone’s Favorite Pet Award,” she went all out and made it as big as possible. Enter: the Maine coon cat!

Maine coon cats are known for their size — they were considered the largest domesticated cat breed before the introduction of the Savannah cat and still hold the title as the largest non-hybrid breed! And if you’re wondering how they got their name, as you’ve probably already guessed, their origins lie in Maine, where they have been the official state cat since 1985. That’s right — this breed is native to North America!

But don’t let their huge size fool you — these big cats are so sweet-tempered and loving that they’re recognized as exemplary lap cats and fantastic playmates for kids. Moreover, they’re very easygoing animals who don’t mind sharing their space so long as they get enough attention every now and then. The nickname “gentle giants” fits them like a glove!

Despite their big fluffy size, Maine coons have squeezed their way into our hearts and said, “Hey, look, it’s free real estate.” So if you also share an insane love for these big felines, this is your lucky day: we decided to dedicate a whole post to Maine coon pics! Let’s take a closer look at what makes coon cats different, so you’ll get why our hearts go pitter-patter whenever we see one!

#1 9-Week Old Maine Coon Kittens, Waiting For Their Vet Check

Image credits: PloverLover

In order to learn more about these big cuties, Bored Panda got in touch with a couple of specialists in Alabama: Melissa Heigl, a professional animal trainer and a cat specialist, and Mitzi Guess, who has been breeding Maine coons for more than thirty years.

First things first, we wanted to find out more about their characteristics. “I fell in love with the doglike personality of coonies. They were so different from any cat I had ever been around. Very personal, and in your personal space! They are always up for any activity, which makes them great for a family with children. They love company and attention, always ready for a game of tag or chase,” said Mitzi.

#2 Tried To Catch A Mouse. Caught Autumn Instead

Image credits: timconnery

The question was also addressed by Melissa: “A Maine coon’s temperament depends on a lot of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) genetics, socialization, overall health, and the environment. A good breeder has control over these factors. While every Maine coon has a different personality and its own quirks. They should be friendly, outgoing, playful and curious. Some are more clingy and enjoy being lap cats, while others are more independent. Some Maine coons are very chatty, while others can be very quiet. A good breeder can help match each family [to] their perfect kitten.”

We also couldn’t help but wonder how big Maine coons grow to be. “Thanks to social media and a lot of photo manipulation, there is a lot of misinformation about Maine coons. Males rarely exceed 25 lbs., while females are generally much smaller. It isn’t unusual for a female Maine Coon to be between 10-15 lbs.” – Heigl added.

#3 He Looks Like Both, Lion And A Cat

Image credits: Mira_Naceren

#4 Made An Iron Throne For My Maine Coon. He Slipped Right Into The Role!

Image credits: nikers93

Because Maine coons are known to be rather sociable, we also asked if they get along with other animals, and Mitzi responded as follows: “Maine coons love dogs; they seem to think the dog belongs to them. And size doesn’t matter, the bigger the dog the better the play.”

“They are a very amiable breed and seem to adapt to any environment or household. Many are owned by truckers and travel the country, laying on the dash for a better view of their world.”

Melissa also commented on the matter and said that: “If socialized properly, Maine coons generally enjoy other animals and will even befriend and play with other resident dogs and cats.”

#5 A Majestic Maine Coon

Image credits: memezzer

#6 Meet Ophelia, My Twelve Week Old Maine Coon Kitten

Image credits: mindyourbehind

We then wondered whether there are any fun facts about the breed.

Mitzi replied with: “Maine coons have a tendency to like water. One factor into their names, the coon cat. They love to play in water like a raccoon, make a trill sound like a raccoon, and have the ringed tail like a raccoon. But that is an old wives’ tale; raccoons cannot mate with cats. With a coonie you have the chirp and trill sound instead of the meow, that some might find aggravating.”

The woman then added: “My favorite thing about a coonie, besides the personality, is the tipping on the ears. ‘Lynx Tips’ is the name of this striking feature. It gives them a very wild look and is very impressive if they are thick like a paint brush.”

#7 My Sister’s New Maine Coon Kitten Is Absolutely Freaking Adorable

Image credits: WiseScratch

#8 Mio Has Such Intensely Orange Eyes

Image credits: 95102

Lastly, Melissa also responded to the question, and said that “Maine coons come in a variety of colors and not just black or brown tabby. Some Maine coons have polydactyly, which means that they have extra toes on each foot!”

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning a few interesting facts about Main coons, as well as this collection of 198 heartwarming images. Which one is your favorite? Let us know!