5 Fascinating Facts About Maine Coon Kittens

There are a number of colorful tales and beliefs about how Maine Coons were created, but there is no scientific evidence to back up most of these stories.

1. The origin of Maine coon kittens has not yet been identified. Raccoons, bobcats, and even an executed French Queen are all suspected to have played a role according to one story or another. Generally most people today believe that this breed originated from the Vikings and the cats that traveled with these warriors.

2. One of the genetic predispositions that the Maine Coon breed has is being polydactyl.This condition basically refers to at least one extra toe on the foot. Some believe that originally as many as 40% of the breed was born with this condition. Since additional toes eliminate a kitten from being show quality this trait has been bred out by many breeders. There are some organizations who are making an effort to reverse this trend and believe that this genetic defect is actually a benefit.

3. The most common coloring for Maine coon kittens is brown tabby, but these cats can be found in any colors, variations, and patterns. Some coloring and markings are not considered acceptable for showing though, so breeders tend to try and reduce certain traits whenever possible. Many of these cats have a varied coloring, with unusual patterns and distinctive markings that are exquisite.

4. The Maine Coon breed of cat is known for being very skilled hunters. The large size and natural hunting instinct make them a natural predator to many small animals and wildlife in an area. The larger than normal paws, especially when additional toes are present, can make this cat a very formidable opponent for wild animals that are a similar size. There have been cases where this breed has managed to hang from a wall using only the claws.

5. Maine coon kittens are often called gentle giants, because they are larger than normal but they have a sweet disposition. This breed is extremely intelligent, and kittens can be trained with little effort.

The Maine Coon is generally fascinated by water, which is unlike most cat breeds. This fascination is believed to be due to the fact that the breed ancestors were often kept on ships.Visit this site: http://mainecoonkittens.org.