Kusa The Maine Coon Cat: How Big Is He And Why Is He So Famous?
Every so often, a Maine Coon kitten appears online that looks less like a normal cat and more like a young mountain lion, and Kusa, a red smoke Maine Coon from Phoenix, Arizona, is exactly that cat.
Even as a young kitten, Kusa captivated millions with his extraordinary size, dramatic coat, and surprisingly gentle temperament. What makes him especially fascinating is that, at just over a year old, he’s already bigger than many fully grown domestic cats – yet Maine Coons do not reach full maturity until 3-5 years of age.
This article breaks down Kusa’s story, growth, genetics, and what his size means, and provides a practical guide for owners considering a giant Maine Coon of their own.
Quick Answer
Kusa is a red smoke Maine Coon from Phoenix, Arizona, who went viral online because of his extraordinary size and lion-like appearance at a very young age. Your live article describes him as an enormous Maine Coon kitten already drawing attention at one year old, while social posts about him also note that Maine Coons can continue growing until around 4 to 5 years of age.
Who Is Kusa?
Kusa lives with his owner, Chastity Hobbs, who adopted him from Mountain Peak Maine Coons – a registered breeder known for producing large, well-structured cats with striking silver and smoke lines.
Kusa’s standout traits include:
- His colour: Red smoke (also referred to as red silver), an eye-catching combination where red guard hairs sit atop a pale silver undercoat.
- His size: At just nine months old, Kusa was already approaching 1 metre (3.2 ft) in length and around 6 kg (≈13 lbs).
- His temperament: Despite his intimidating size, Kusa is described as soft-natured, mellow, affectionate, and even “too polite” with the other cats in the home.
He lives with three other cats, two of whom are blind, and Kusa’s social adaptability has been repeatedly praised.
What Makes Kusa So Big?
Maine Coons do not grow like ordinary cats. Their growth trajectory is far longer, slower, and more dramatic.
✅ 1. Genetics
Kusa comes from a breeder known for producing large, structurally sound lines. Size in Maine Coons is strongly heritable, meaning kittens born from large parents are far more likely to become giants themselves.
✅ 2. Long Growth Window
Most cat breeds reach full size at 12-18 months.
Maine Coons typically take 3-5 years to reach their true adult size, which includes:
- Full muscle mass,
- Thickness of bone structure,
- The famous lion-like ruff,
- Full tail, chest, and belly furnishing.
If Kusa is this size at one year, he is likely only halfway through his developmental journey.
✅ 3. Sex-Based Growth Difference
Kusa is male, and males are significantly larger than females.
Average healthy adult males weigh 18-22 lbs (8-10 kg), often more.
Learn more about the size and personality differences between Male Vs Female Maine Coon Cats.
✅ 4. Coat Magnification Effect
Red smokes appear even larger because the silver undercoat adds “depth” and volume, and the red pigment is naturally eye-catching.
How Big Will Kusa Get?
While nobody can predict an exact number, growth charts and breeder observations suggest:
- Kusa will likely exceed 18-22 lbs (8-10 kg) by adulthood.
- He may reach 40-45 inches nose to tail.
- He will continue to fill out in the chest, shoulders, and haunches until at least age 3-4.
- His full mane and tail will not reach their prime until age 3-5.
Kusa is already bigger than many adult cats, yet he is only in his teenage phase.
What Kusa’s Temperament Reveals
Owners often worry that large male Maine Coons will be dominant or territorial. Kusa is proof of the opposite.
His behaviour is textbook Maine Coon:
- Extremely calm and gentle
- Strongly bonded to his owner
- Curious but not aggressive
- Very tolerant of other cats
- Loyal, observant, and intelligent
His owner describes him as “too nice,” often letting smaller cats push past him at mealtimes. This gentle, almost dog-like behaviour is typical for the breed – even giant examples.
Discover everything you need to know about the Maine Coon Personality And Temperament.
What It’s Like Living With A Cat This Big
Kusa’s owner has shared insights that many people do not consider before bringing home a giant Maine Coon.
✅ Bigger Cats Need Bigger Everything
Large Maine Coons need:
- XL or jumbo litter boxes
- Heavy-duty scratching posts
- Extra-wide cat trees
- Elevated feeding stations
- Larger carriers (often dog-sized)
If these aren’t provided, the cat may feel cramped or unsafe.
✅ High-Quality Nutrition Is Essential
Large breed kittens need:
- High protein
- Controlled minerals for joint and bone health
- Omega-3s for coat and joint support
Overfeeding leads to excessive weight, which strains joints, something Kusa’s owner actively avoids.
Learn more about the Maine Coon Diet and Nutrition.
✅ Grooming Becomes A Real Commitment
Red smokes, like Kusa, often have:
- Very thick ruffs
- Dense belly fur
- Heavy tail furnishing
Daily or near-daily grooming prevents mats and maintains coat texture.
✅ Weight Monitoring Is Mandatory
Large Maine Coons have a predisposition to:
Monitoring Kusa’s weight is a priority to avoid unnecessary strain on his developing skeleton.
Social Media Accounts
Kusa is frequently featured on his human mom’s social media pages, never ceasing to impress their followers.
| Platform | Account / Source |
|---|---|
| @kusa_the_maine_coon | |
| TikTok | Posted via owner/breeder clips; no dedicated account confirmed |
Why Kusa Captivates The Internet
Kusa’s images frequently go viral because he combines three rare traits:
- Dramatic red smoke colouring
- Exceptionally large bone structure and early growth
- High contrast photography that exaggerates his size
Red smokes are visually striking, and when photographed from certain angles, Kusa appears almost mythical.
Final Thoughts
Kusa represents everything people love about Maine Coons: their size, majesty, softness, and unparalleled beauty. But he also showcases their gentleness – proof that even the largest cats can be the sweetest souls.
As he continues growing over the next few years, he might truly become one of the largest Maine Coons online. But regardless of size, Kusa’s story reminds us why these cats are adored: they’re breathtaking to look at and deeply emotional companions.
If you’re considering a giant Maine Coon of your own, Kusa’s journey gives invaluable insight into what ownership truly involves: space, grooming, nutrition, commitment – and a whole lot of love.
FAQ
Who is Kusa, the Maine Coon cat?
Kusa is a Maine Coon cat who became well known online because of his unusual size, striking appearance, and strong social media attention. Your live article identifies him as a red smoke Maine Coon from Phoenix, Arizona.
Why is Kusa so famous?
Kusa became famous because he looks exceptionally large and wild for such a young cat. Your article describes him as looking less like a normal kitten and more like a young mountain lion, which explains why he attracted so much attention online.
What colour is Kusa?
Kusa is described as a red smoke Maine Coon. Social posts about him also refer to his strong silver effect, which contributes to that smoky appearance.
How old was Kusa when he went viral?
Your live article presents Kusa as already drawing major attention at around one year old, which is a big reason people found his size so remarkable.
Is Kusa fully grown?
No, probably not. Posts about Kusa note that Maine Coons can continue growing until around 4 to 5 years old, so a very large young cat like Kusa may still have more filling out to do.
Why does Kusa look so big?
Kusa likely looks so large because he combines typical Maine Coon traits, such as a long body, big paws, heavy bone structure, and thick coat, with unusually dramatic colouring and early growth. Your article specifically highlights how extraordinary his size looked even as a young cat.
Is Kusa the biggest Maine Coon in the world?
Not based on the evidence I found. Kusa is clearly very large and visually striking, but world-record Maine Coons such as Stewie and Barivel are separate, well-known record-holding cats.
Where does Kusa live?
Your live article says Kusa is from Phoenix, Arizona.
What does the name Kusa mean?
A social post says Kusa is short for Kusafiri, which means to travel.
Why do people compare Kusa to a mountain lion?
People compare Kusa to a mountain lion because of his huge frame, bold facial structure, long coat, and wild-looking expression. Your article uses that exact kind of comparison to explain why he stands out so much online.
Are all Maine Coons as big as Kusa?
No. Maine Coons are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, but cats like Kusa are exceptional and tend to attract attention because they sit at the more dramatic end of the breed’s size range.
Why do viral Maine Coons like Kusa attract so much attention?
Viral Maine Coons attract attention because they combine the breed’s natural size with a very photogenic look. In Kusa’s case, his age, colour, size, and “giant kitten” appearance made him especially eye-catching online.