Certified by Guinness, the longest cat in the world is a 5 year old Maine Coon measuring 4.
5 feet.
The previous record holder, another Maine Coon, measured 4 feet.
There are several stories of how the breed originated.
Six of Marie Antoinette's Turkish Angora cats were brought to Maine and cross bred with short hair breeds is one.
Another is Captain Coon, an English seafarer, kept long hair cats on board his ship.
When anchored, the cats would leave the ship and mate with local feral cats.
The most accepted theory is long hair cats brought by English seamen or Vikings mated with local short hair cats.
The Maine Coon is one of the oldest breeds of cat in North America and native to Maine.
It is noted for its large bone structure, rectangular body shape and long flowing coat.
With its high intelligence and gentle personality, it is one of the most popular breeds in the world.
The cat is long haired and comes in several colors.
The fur is dense and water resistant enabling it to handle the cold and snowy Maine winters.
Its long, bushing tail when curled around its face protects it from wind and blowing snow.
Its large paws allowed it to walk on the snow.
Popular in cat shows during the 19th century, it declined in popularity in the 20th century.
After 1911 where it won in a national cat show, it was rarely seen.
Starting in the mid 1970s, it staring gaining popularity again eventually becoming the second most popular cat breed.