Maine Coons are the largest among domestic cats. Their resemblance to wild cats including their Lynx-like tipped ears adds to the elegance, regalness, and mystery of Maine Coon Cats. Maine Coon as a breed in general, has grown quite popular recently.
If you are a cat lover or a fan of this breed, you already know that it has been announced as the “Most Popular Cat Breed” for 2023 by The International Cat Association (TICA). CFA, another popular Cat Association in the US has given it the distinction of being the second most popular breed in the world for 2022. This was announced by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) on March 24, 2023.
According to the CFA, there are about 75 color variations of the Maine Coons. The colors can also be categorized into 8 classes: solid, smoke, shaded, tortoiseshell, bi-color, parti-color, tabbies, and tabbies with white. However, the most popular and in-demand color recently is the Black Maine Coon, specifically, the Black Smoke variety.
We will discuss the different varieties and shades of black of this breed and also look into why they are popular, how rare are Black Maine Coons, and how much they cost. We’ll also look into some trivia and little tidbits that you might enjoy.
Contents
Why Are Black Maine Coon Popular?
Black Maine Coons have captured the interest of a lot of people recently. This color of Maine Coon is popularly thought to resemble black panthers, with some people calling them miniature black panthers or mini black panthers. Others love the Maine Coon for its ear tips which resemble that of the Lynx and how it also feels like owning a small lion because of its lion-like mane.
Elegance, Poise, Sophistication, High Status, Formality, and Power are all characteristics that embody the Black Maine Coon. Check out one of the top Black Maine Coon social media stars, Mr. ViVo. We haven’t seen another Maine Coon Cat that has exceeded his popularity on Instagram. If you have a Black Maine Coon or are planning to purchase or adopt one, then go ahead and make your Black Maine Coon Instagram famous! There are only a few popular Maine Coons online so the competition isn’t that stiff.
In a Maine Coon-lover Facebook Group, CrazyAboutCats.net conducted a survey about which color owners preferred, they got 101 responses and it was surprising that 27% of Maine Coon Cat Owners and Enthusiasts preferred Black Smoke, 13% of them preferred Tuxedo, and only 3% preferred All black.
Different Shades of Black Maine Coons
1. Solid Black Maine Coon
A Solid Black Maine Coon is the rarest type of Black Maine Coon. It is easy to recognize as it is solid black including its undercoat.
There are no light gray colors or a touch of white. It is very rare because you’ll need both parents to be solid black to ensure a litter of Solid Black Maine Coons.
CFA standards dictate that a Cat Show-level Solid Black Maine Coon should have solid black fur from roots to tips. There should be no tinge of reddish or rust colors at the tips of the fur. There should also be no hint of smoky gray colors on the Black Maine Coon’s undercoat. Its nose should be black while its paws should be black or dark brown.
2. Black Smoke Maine Coon
Black Smoke Maine Coon is the most popular breed among all of the Maine Coons, not just for the Black Maine Coons. A lot of cat lovers prefer this type of Maine Coon heavily because its color seems to have a gradient feel and is easy on the eyes compared to other colors.
Depending on the lighting, the Black Smoke Maine Coon may appear to have an all-black coat to a grayish hue. This is because even though the fur is black, its undercoat and roots are usually white to silvery in color. This gives it a smoky color, hence the name “Black Smoke”. The color of the undercoat is a result of an inhibitor gene that prevents the base of the fur from having a dark, solid black color.
CFA standards require pedigree and show-quality Black Smoke Maine Coons to have a white undercoat but its fur should be deeply tipped with black color.
While resting, it should appear black or dark gray. However, as it moves, the white undercoat should be visible. The paw pads and nose should be black. Its ear tufts and frill should be silver. A narrow band of white fur next to the skin should be seen when its fur is parted.
3. Tuxedo Maine Coon
This is the second most popular breed of Maine Coon as its spot of white fur on the chest area makes it look like it is wearing a Tuxedo. It is also known as the Black and White Maine Coon but the coat should be predominantly black.
CFA standards require that the belly, all four paws, and most importantly, the bib, should be colored white. Its face could have some white color.
4. Bi-colored Maine Coon
It is similar to the Tuxedo Maine Coon however, the white spots may differ in areas around the body. Similar to the Tuxedo variety, CFA standards dictate that all four paws and bellies should be white. Its face also may have some white color.
5. Black Tabby Maine Coon
Black Tabby Maine Coons are sometimes referred to as Brown Tabby because though it is black, there could be some brown discolorations.
6. Black Tortoiseshell Maine Coon
Black Tortoiseshell Maine Coon are also referred to as Tortie for short. Its coat’s base color is mostly black but there are reddish and cream hues and markings on its fur.
7. Black Silver Maine Coon
The Black Silver Maine Coon is not a popular color since it is not yet acknowledged by the CFA. This is why it is also quite rare. Since the color is not yet recognized by CFA, this cat may not be able to compete in Cat Shows and competitions. But if it’s just for a house pet, this color is cool and semi-rare.
Are Black Maine Coons Rare?
Black Maine Coons are popular but some shades are rarer than others. Black Smoke Maine Coons are quite popular and in demand, so many are breeding this color. This makes the color the most common and oftentimes depicted as the representative color of the whole Maine Coon Breed.
Pure black Maine Coons on the other hand are much rarer to find as the female and male breeding cats should be both pure black to get a higher probability that the litter they will produce is pure black as well.
For the Maine Coon to be black, it must inherit from its parents the dominant black gene and the non-agouti genes. Non-agouti Black Maine Coon cats lack alternating pigments in their fur. This results in the solid black color appearance of their furs. This is the reason why finding two compatible pure Black Maine Coons is quite difficult. Because of this genetic requirement, pure black Maine Coons are quite rare!
How Much Does Black Maine Coon Cost?
Black Maine Coon costs around $1,000 to over $4,000 depending on the age, gender, and pedigree quality. Also, some Cattery provide health tests, pet health insurance, and after-sales services which might make the price go up. Expect to pay more for Solid Black Maine Coon as they are rarer and quite difficult to find. Females are more expensive too as there is usually a 1:5 ratio of females versus males in a litter. Other black colors including the more common Black Smoke Maine Coon costs less.
Trivia About Black Maine Coons
1. Black Maine Coons Are More Resistant To Diseases
As sourced by Reuters and reported by CNN, A team of researchers from the National Cancer Institute & University of Maryland became interested in black cats because they have genetic resistance to many known diseases.
Stephen O’Brien and other Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have also found that cats with black fur have somewhat achieved a resistance that blocks off infectious diseases and agents in their bodies. HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple Sclerosis are some diseases that Black Maine Coons or Black Cats can block off from their system. They have found that the high frequency of black-colored fur caused these cats to achieve disease resistance. As these diseases are prevalent in humans, their team is researching how the cats evolved to resist these diseases to help solve human ailments in the future.
This disease-resisting capability makes the Black Maine Coons the most preferred color by many.
2. A Maine Coon’s Black Coat Color Can Fade
There are instances when the fur or coat of a Black Maine Coon can change colors or fade.
Tyrosine Deficiency
Tyrosine is what produces eumelanin. This amino acid is responsible for giving the cat’s fur its dark black or brown color. Lack of Tyrosine may result in the fur changing from solid black to rusty brown. This can be avoided by giving your cat supplements that are high in Taurine. Cats need to be given at least 18g per kg of phenylalanine + tyrosine to restore their black-colored fur. Less than 16g will only result in a reddish fur color.
Too Much Sunlight Exposure
Similar to how human hair runs dry or changes color when too exposed to the sun’s rays, Maine Coon also suffers this effect. There are sunscreens for pets available that will help Maine Coons retain their luxurious black fur color.
3. The Eyes Of A Black Maine Coon
The eyes of a Black Maine Coon Cat are usually blue after their birth, it gradually changes to its permanent color as the cat reaches adulthood. The most common eye colors for Black Maine Coons are Amber, Copper, Gold, Green, Orange, and Yellow.
4. National Black Cat Day
Every October 27, we celebrate “National Black Cat Day”. It is celebrated 4 days before Halloween. Black cats are very popular during this time and this celebration aims to celebrate and promote the adoption of Black Cats. This is done to help dispel false superstitions about black cats.
Black Maine Coon False Beliefs And Superstitions
1. Black Maine Coons Are Unlucky
There are some superstitions about black cats in general that can cause bad luck when they cross someone’s path. In Italy, if a black cat sits on the bed of a sick person, he might not recover and even die.
Many see black cats as unlucky and a harbinger of death. The good news is, many other societies and countries have regarded black cats as a symbol of good luck and good fortune.
In Japan, black cats symbolize good luck and prosperity. There are some in Japan who believe that black cats can help single women find love. The black Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) also helps the owner ward off evil. So you see, black cats are definitely not considered bad luck in other countries.
In the UK, Scotland, Italy, and Ireland, the black cat’s arrival at one’s home or doorstep means a sign of good luck, prosperity, and incoming wealth.
In Ancient Egypt, cats, especially black-colored cats were associated with their goddess Bastet. Black cats are perceived to bring good luck and protection.
In Ancient Rome, black cats were also considered lucky and associated with the goddess, Diana.
Black Maine Coons and other black cats shouldn’t be regarded as bad luck or unlucky since each cat should be given a chance to show their owners how charming and loving they are without being discriminated against based on their color.
We also know now that black cats have medical importance and are being used to research how to cure and avoid certain human diseases. This makes them an invaluable color. In general, Black Maine Coon cats are not affected by the discrimination against black cats. It is not considered unlucky nor is it unwanted by cat lovers. It’s the opposite as it is one of the most popular and most expensive cat breeds plus the most popular color of this breed is Black Smoke.
2. Black Maine Coons Are Witches’ Cats
Since black cats have a mysterious and imposing aura, they are often associated with witchcraft and the occult. But that doesn’t necessarily mean black cats are bad. Cats, regardless of their color and breed, are creatures made by God.
Also, if you do believe in witchcraft, it should be noted that witches aren’t all evil similar to how they are depicted in movies and comics. Salem, Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s cat is black. Jiji of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service is also a black cat. Witches in real life would probably have their preference in terms of color, breed, and patterns.
Black Maine Coon cats, however, do play an excellent role as a witches’ cat because of its color, size, and its rugged fur.
3. Nobody Wants To Buy/Adopt Black Maine Coon Cats
Years ago, this might be true but now that Maine Coon has become one of the most popular breeds in the world, the demand for it has greatly increased.
As far as Black Maine Coons are concerned, many now prefer them over the other types of Maine Coons. Black Smoke is even considered the most popular color.
In Conclusion
The Black Maine Coon is the most preferred color as its color has given it a higher resistance to diseases compared to the other colors. Black Maine Coon Cats are also the most popular type and color of Maine Coons, especially the Black Smoke variety. The Solid Black Maine Coon, on the other hand, is the rarest and most expensive among the Black Maine Coons. Black Maine Coon is not just plain black; you can choose from at least 7 shades of black that you can choose from.
The black color of a Maine Coon fur might change, become discolored, or fade because of Tyrosine Deficiency or too much exposure to sunlight. It can be reversed by using at least 18g of Phenylalanine+Tyrosine. Lastly, though there are negative superstitions, many societies regard Black Maine Coon as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
