Black Maine Coon Cat: Discover this Majestic & Exotic Breed

Black Maine Coon cats are friendly and love people. They have playful personalities and intelligent minds and get along with other pets. These majestic beauties make a great house cat and companion. Read on as we walk you through the different color variations, sizes, and behaviors. We’ll also share some tips on caring for your Black Maine Coon – and the myths surrounding them!

What is a Black Maine Coon Cat?

How Did the Maine Coon Get Its Name

The Maine Coon cat came from seafarers who brought long-haired black cats to the State of Maine in America. These cats had long, thick coats and a brush-like tail resembling that of a raccoon, leading to their name, “Maine Coon.”

Maine Coon Origin

The Maine Coon is a majestic and mysterious breed with an almost magical reputation. Even more so than other rare breeds, the attentive and naturally agile Main Coon cat has a history shrouded in mystery and legend.

Theories abound about the Maine Coon origin. While they may seem far-fetched at first glance, there’s enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that they may originate from a group of escaped exotic cats. So, where did the Black Maine Coon come from? Why are they so rare and elusive? And what makes them so unique? Let’s look.

The Origin of the Maine Coon Cat

This is a breed of cat whose origin is uncertain. However, some stories and myths surround the Maine Coons’ origins. I’ll go over the two theories.

One hilarious theory states that a cat from Maine had mated with a raccoon. The appearance of early Maine cats, especially the tabby and bushy-tailed ones, reminded New Englanders so much of a raccoon that they assumed it was because those two animals were mating – but this isn’t biologically possible.

Another story is based on the assumption that the Maine Coon cats are descendants of Norwegian Forest Cats who arrived in New England (Maine) around 1000 A.D. The cats were on the ship with Viking Leif Eriksson and reproduced there. These cats had long, thick coats and a brush-like tail resembling that of a raccoon, leading to their name, “Maine Coon.”

Today, people in the state of Maine still refer to the cats as “Maine cats,” rather than Maine Coons.

I suppose the cat’s origins will continue to be a mystery, making the breed even more intriguing.

The Black Maine Coon Cat – Incredible Characteristics

• Some are exceptionally large – They stand at least three-feet tall at the shoulder and weigh between 18 and 30 pounds.
• Very long fur – This cat’s coat is an unruly mop of luxurious, wavy hair. It’s golden brown, with dark stripes and spots throughout. And it grows to a length of at least three inches.
• Long whiskers – This cat’s whiskers are long and extremely sensitive. This cat has excellent depth perception and is a skilled climber. They help the cat “see” in the dark and navigate its environment.
• Extremely intelligent – This cat is highly intelligent and observant. They can learn new tricks quickly and are very good at solving puzzles.
• Endowed with a naturally calm demeanor – This cat is naturally quiet. They’re good at staying calm in stressful situations and rarely get overwhelmed by their environment.
• Naturally agile – This cat is naturally elegant. They are ambidextrous and can be equally skilled at climbing and leaping.

Black Maine Coon Cat Care

Like most long-haired cats, their fur can become matted, dirty, and tangled. Regular grooming is necessary to keep the Black Maine Coon’s coat healthy. It would be best to brush your cat every day, ideally before they eat.

Daily brushing helps keep your pet’s coat free of knots and tangles. Since cats groom right after eating, the best time to brush your cat is before a meal. Brushing removes the excess loose hair, so they won’t swallow as much fur when grooming. Grooming helps their digestive system by decreasing the number of hairballs.

The good news is that most people get in the habit of grooming their kittens from an early age, so it becomes a routine with little effort involved as they get older!

Their diet should be high in protein and low in fat. To ensure your cat’s food is nutritionally complete, you can buy specific canned cat food for your Maine Coon breed. Please give your cat access to fresh water at all times.

These cats are naturally active indoors and enjoy using their scratching posts and climbing toys—place scratching posts in your cat’s favorite spots around the house. You can also create a scratcher out of a cardboard box.

Health and Care

Many believe cats take care of themselves and don’t need any maintenance, but this is not true. Cats are more independent than most other pets but still require a high level of care from their owners. That’s certainly true with the Maine Coon cat; food, water, companionship, and enrichment are some things potential owners should know to adopt!

Oral hygiene is important considering this breed is prone to gingivitis. Brushing an adult cat’s teeth is easier when you start this habit as a kitten. You will need a cat toothbrush and special cat-safe toothpaste to clean your pet’s teeth every day or twice per week.

Maine Coons are not very picky eaters, but they enjoy quality food. It is important to constantly feed your Maine Coon with a taurine supplement for cats since this helps protects them from sunburn and keeps their color.

Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a condition that causes cats to have weak or abnormal gaits. The leading cause of this condition involves spinal muscle degeneration, which is neither painful nor fatal. Cats with Spinal Muscular Atrophy require extra care and attention!

The test to detect SMA can assess whether you have the genes that cause this disorder. The illness causes muscle atrophy and weakness; symptoms appear within 3–4 months after birth.

Genetic Mutation Polydactylism

Maine Coon cats may have a trait known as polydactylism, meaning they have one or more extra toes on their paws. However, finding a Main Coon with an extra toe is not common because it disqualifies the cat from competitions or shows.

For more information on polydactyly Maine Coons, check out TICA, The International Cat Association.

What is the Temperament of a Maine Coon?

Maine Coons are not typically aggressive or ferocious. These cats have a playful disposition their entire lives.

Maine coon cats are social creatures who can be energetic, affectionate, and comfortable around children and other animals.

Before welcoming a Maine Coon into your family, one thing to consider is that this breed requires daily activity and does not do well for long periods.

Maine Coons are often compared to dogs, and here are a few reasons why:

• They need plenty of attention from people they know and enjoy.
• They crave human company more than most cats, but they can also live fine with other animals if necessary.
• These highly intelligent creatures will work hard, learning tricks and following commands in exchange for hearty rewards, like treats or kitty food!

The first thing many people notice about black Maine Coons is their appearance. It seems to reflect that they are much more mysterious or serious than other colors, but this isn’t the case. Black Maine Coon cats have the same loving and lively personality as any other cat, despite their smokey fur.

Black Maine Coon cats are often seen as unlucky and not good luck. This myth is old, with no connection to the majestic creatures! Their black fur, which makes them look like little pieces of the night sky, should be enough for you to adopt one!

The Black Maine Coon’s Incredible Intelligence

The intelligence of a cat is directly related to the amount of mental stimulation they receive. The more interaction you have with your cat, the better. This can be as simple as petting and talking to them or more complex and challenging, such as teaching them a new trick or game.

Cats are lovely at learning from observation. This means they can understand cause and effect, such as how a specific action leads to an outcome. This means you can teach your cat tricks and games no matter their species or background.

10 Important Tips for Keeping a Maine Coon Black Cat

Like any exotic cat, the Maine Coon black cat needs specific care to thrive. Follow these 10 tips to ensure a long and happy life with your new cat.

• Feed your new cat a high-protein diet – While any cat will thrive on a balanced diet, Maine Coons need a special diet high in protein. You can buy this diet in specific flavors or as canned food.
• Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment
• Make sure your new cat has high access to a scratching post and plenty of outlets for exercise and play.
• Socialize your cat – This will help your cat feel more comfortable and confident around people and other cats.
• Keep your new cat indoors – Exotic cats are more susceptible to health problems and diseases if they live in an unnatural or stressful environment.
• Give your new cat space – They need their own space, so avoid sharing a room with your cat.
• Make sure your new cat has access to plenty of toys – All cats love toys, and Maine Coons are no exception.
• Keep your new cat safe – Make sure your new cat has a collar with ID and keep them safely indoors while they adjust to their new home.
• Get your new cat neutered/spayed – This will prevent or treat unwanted behavior in your new cat, such as inappropriate litter box habits and aggression.

Why Are The Black Maine Coons So Rare?

The solid black Maine Coon is very rare. This is not just a Maine coon thing; other cat colors tend to be more popular than black cats in general

You are much more likely to find a smoke-colored Maine Coon than a solid black one because finding two pure black Maine Coons is difficult.

Maine Coon Cat Colors

Maine Coon colors are plentiful. They have similar builds and fur patterns but come in various colors.

Solid Colors

Maine Coons can come in solid black, white, red, cream, and blue smoke. Red Maine Coons are ginger-orange rather than red. Blue smoke resembles gray or silver instead of the actual color blue.

Smoke Pattern

The coloring from the root of the cat’s fur starts very light and gradually gets darker as it reaches the tip.

Tabby Patterns

The classic tabby has a butterfly pattern that spans across the shoulders and has wide stripes.

The mackerel tabby resembles a tiger with narrow stripes that fan out from the spine in a fishbone pattern.

The distinctive marking on the forehead of tabby cats is known as an “M.” Religious tales have attributed this mark to either Mohammed or Mary touching a cat’s forehead, and Egyptian legends attribute it to “Mau” which means cat in Egyptian. The origin of this symbol could be because of these stories or because they share DNA traits.

Maint Coon Patterns – BiColor

A bi-color cat has white on its chest and tummy, making them sleek and sophisticated. They often have white on all four paws, giving them a tuxedo look.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Black Maine Coon & a Black Smoke Main Coon

Main Coon Black Cat (Solid)

The hair shaft on this cat is black from root to tip. It has inherited two genes, one of which is dominant and passed down by both parents; the other gene is recessive, which means it will not have a tabby pattern or diluted fur.

Black Smoke Main Coon

The Black Smoke Maine Coon is a cat with black or brown fur. Smoke-black, or called Black smoke, cats will have at least one parent who carries the smoke gene, and when they are stationary, their coats appear pure black. However, once they move around, you can see that the Main Coon black smoke is more silvery because of the white undercoat between the darker outer layer and their lighter inner coat.

Other Types of Black Maine Coon Colorings

Check out the Cat Fanciers’ Association for more information on the Maine Coon cat breed. There are other types of Maine Coons as well, including:

• bi-colored
• black and white Maine Coon cats (also referred to as tuxedo cats)
• black silver tabby Maine Coon cats (which is a rare breed)
• black-tabby (which has brown colorings)
• black silver tabby
• black tortoiseshell or tortie Maine Coons (which have black coats with patterns of red colors)
• Orange Maine Coon cat
• Grey Maine Coon cat
• Red Maine Coon

Facial Features

One of Maine Coon cats’ distinguishing features is their eyes. They have wide-set, almond-shaped eyes that could be amber or green. This can often also appear as copper, orange, gold, or yellow; however, with a tinge of greenish hue (amber).

A black Main Coon often has blue eyes when young, but this is a temporary feature. As they grow, more often than not, their eye color changes to amber or green. Black Maine Coons that also dote some white fur might end up with blue eyes, but it’s very rare!

Black Maine Coon cats predominantly have black features. They also tend to have whiskers, noses, and paw pads that are all the same color as their coat. What differentiates these cats from other breeds is that they rarely have eyebrows or long vibrissae hairs above their eyes, but this doesn’t stop them from being adorable!

One of the most distinguishing features of this cat is its black tufts and ear tips. This Maine Coon breed also has a thick, luxurious coat that looks like it belongs to a lynx. The wild trait people love so much about cats is just one more charming detail about them!

Main Coon Size

It’s easy to see why Maine Coons are such a popular breed of domestic cats. They’re one of the biggest breeds, and some can seem astonishing! For this reason (among others we discuss below), they have been nicknamed ‘gentle giants, and the Main Coon size is often compared to the size of dogs.

Average Weight

A female’s average weight is about 8-12 pounds (3.5-5 kg), while males weigh 13 – 18 lbs (6-8 kg).

Average Height

Maine Coons grow between 6 to 15 inches (16-40 cm) in height and often reach 3 feet, including their tails. Their tails are distinctive, long, and furry, like a raccoon’s tail (hence the name). Their tails can be 14 inches (40 cm).

Black Maine Coon Kittens

There’s something special about black Maine coon kittens. They have a certain air of mystery and sophistication that other kittens don’t seem to possess. Perhaps it’s their sleek, elegant fur or large, expressive eyes.

Whatever the reason, a black Maine coon kitten will turn heads wherever it goes. If you’re considering adding a black Maine coon kitten to your family, you’re in for a treat. These kittens are beautiful, loving, playful, and intelligent. They make great companions and bring lots of joy to your home.

Guinness World Records

When Guinness World Records measured Stewie, a purebred male Maine Coon, in 2010, they declared him to be the longest cat in the world- measuring 48.5 inches (123 centimeters) from his nose to his tail. Stewie passed away at 8 years old from cancer in 2013.

Barviel Cat

In May 2018, Barviel , the Maine Coon measured 3 ft 11.2 in (120 cm), making him the current holder of the Guinness World Records and as long as a baseball bat. When standing on his back legs, Barviel can almost reach a human’s shoulders! This breed sure grows big!

Highly Intelligent, Observant & Sensitive

Not only is the black Maine Coon rare, but they are also exceptionally beautiful and intelligent. Besides their natural beauty and impressive personality, these cats are also skilled hunters.

They are also very emotionally sensitive cats. Your Main Coon can pick up on your feelings by looking into its eyes. They can detect when you are upset and be soothing when you are sad.

Black Main Coon Breeders – Investment

There are purebred Maine Coon cats, and there is a variation of other colors, which will have different prices. For example, a black Maine Coon cat can cost between $500 and $2000 dollars. They may show up in shelters or Maine Coon rescue, but breeders often encourage owners to return the cat to them if they can no longer care for them. So finding a Main Coon in a shelter is less likely to happen.

The temperament of purebred Maine Coon cats is more likely to lean towards the active and large type. Not as many health conditions are present in these kinds. Less expensive crossbreeds may have different temperaments, which you should consider when determining if this is what you want for your new pet.

Black Maine Coon Cats – Conclusion

Now, you know about the black Main Coon cats breed, their typical size and weight, the different color variations, and their origin story. All left to do now is decide if a Maine Coon cat will be your next pet! Does this friendly breed have everything going for it-so why hesitate? If you are not yet convinced or want another excellent cat choice, we like the Scottish Fold Munchkin cats!