Discover the biggest Maine Coon cat!

Maine Coon cats are widely known as “gentle giant”, and this is not only because of their large nature. Maine Coons, along with Ragdolls and Siberians, are considered one of the largest breeds of domestic cats in the world, and representatives of this breed have been repeatedly recognized as the largest living domestic cats. But size can be estimated in different ways, which means that there are several contenders for the title of the largest Maine Coon cat in history. Here’s what you need to know.

Maine Coon cat primer

Traditional evolution can often provide users with very insightful observations about what conditions allowed a particular creature to survive in the environment, but this is not always the case with domestic cats. But the most distinctive features of the Maine Coon also suit well the environment in which he lives. Maine winters are known for their harshness, but the Maine Coon is well adapted. The thick coat of Maine Coons is resistant to both cold and water, and their heavy paws are well suited for walking on snowy surfaces without falling through.

The Maine Coon cat is believed to be descended from the equally huge – and species-like – Norwegian Forest Cat, with the prevailing theory being that they were brought into the country as part of a Viking colony led by Captain Coon. More bizarre explanations suggest that they are the result of interbreeding between cats and raccoons, or were brought to America as a special breed raised by Marie Antoinette.

In any case, the size of the Maine Coon appears to be the result of environmental circumstances, not design breeding. Maine Coons may have been recorded in American life since at least the mid-19th century, and they were popular as mice made for cold countries before they eventually became famous for their beauty. The first major exhibition of modern cats was even won by the Maine Coon cat.

Average size Maine Coon cat

The cats on our list are going to be large even by their breed standards, but it can be difficult for anyone who hasn’t seen the Maine Coon to understand how much larger they are than a typical domestic cat. The average domestic cat without a tail is 18 to 20 inches long. They are usually 9 to 10 inches high.

In contrast, the average Maine Coon cat can be 19 to 32 inches tall, excluding the tail. And they tower over a typical domestic cat 10 to 16 inches tall. It goes without saying that a big cat will carry more weight and the Maine Coon cat does not disappoint in this regard. While a typical domestic cat will weigh about 10 pounds, a typical Maine Coon can easily double that number. Suffice it to say that the largest Maine Coon in the world is guaranteed to be a giant among giants.

The largest living Maine Coon cat: Barivel

The Italian city of Vigevano may not be as famous as neighboring fashion capital Milan, but it does have one thing that Milan lacks: the longest cat in the world. Barivel took the crown on May 22, 2018, when he was awarded the Guinness Book of Records title. Barivel was fixed at 3 feet 11 inches, making him only an inch shorter than a standard hockey net!

Edgar Skandurra and Cinzia Tinnirello are Barivel’s proud parents, and they are not shy about the fame he has gained in society. It is known that they took him on walks in the neighborhood. You may not get autographs if you see him in public, as Barivel is distinguished by his shyness. In public, he rides a buggy pushed by his home parents. He lives a spoiled life, although his serious and shy nature hardly fits his name, which translates from English as “clown”.

Formerly the largest living Maine Coon cat: Ludo

The city of Wakefield in the UK can be proud to be home to the largest Maine Coon cat in the world for a while. Ludo was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 2017, just a year before Barivel himself won the prize. But chances are, you wouldn’t even notice the difference if you were there in person. At three feet ten and a half inches, he is only a fraction of an inch shorter than his Italian counterpart.

Ludo shares a house with three other Maine Coon cats – and while he may be almost the same size as Barival, his personality can no longer be different. Ludo is an affectionate and sociable cat who loves nothing but snuggle up. Ludo’s brief position as the world’s largest Maine Coon has brought with it a flurry of photo shoots, but Ludo seems to love all the attention he got from his brief flirtation with fame.

Maine Coon cat contender: Omar

The orange tabby Maine Coon cat known as Omar has not yet been judged by the judges of the Guinness Book of Records, but if its owner’s claims that he is four feet 11 inches are correct, he could probably knock Barivel off his throne. … Lobster’s size may have something to do with his somewhat unconventional diet – he eats kangaroo meat specially prepared by his owner.

Whether he’s the biggest Maine Coon in the world, Omar has a fan base worthy of worldwide recognition. This giant cat has over 160,000 followers on Instagram. Even if he doesn’t grow to the point where he can hit the record, love for Omar is likely to only grow.

Maine Coon cat with longest tail on record: Cygnus

The unique silver markings of a Maine Coon cat named Swan made him stand out from the rest of his fellows, but it was his tail that really set him on the territory of world records. Its tail was the longest not only of all Maine Coon cats in history, but also for the entire existence of domestic cats.

By a strange coincidence, Swan also lived in the house with the largest cat in history: a savannah named Arcturus, who was 48.4 inches tall. Unfortunately, both Swan and Arcturus tragically died in the fire shortly before earning their place in the books of records. They are remembered as a friendly and kind couple of cats who were tied by inseparable bonds.

The largest Maine Coon cat of all time: Stewie

The largest Maine Coon cat of all time is also a reasonable rival for the longest named Maine Coon cat of all time. Mimanes Stuart Gilligan was an impressive 48.5 inches in length and was known for his curious and outgoing curiosity.

Sadly, Stewie passed away at the age of eight. But the Reno, Nevada resident is still considered the largest Maine Coon cat in recorded history – at least for now. But perhaps the most interesting thing about Stewie is that he was not only a celebrity, but also a humanist. He was a certified therapy animal and spent his free time visiting the local retirement center. This Maine Coon will be remembered not only for its big heart, but also for its large physique.

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