The Rare Smoke Maine Coon
The Smoke Maine Coon is one of the most captivating and unique variations of the Maine Coon breed, known for its striking appearance and rich history.
With its glossy, shimmering coat that appears almost silver, it’s no wonder that the Smoke Maine Coon is admired by cat enthusiasts around the world!
What Is The Smoke Maine Coon?
The Smoke Maine Coon is a stunning and unique variation of the Maine Coon breed, renowned for its distinct coat color pattern.
The most striking feature of this Maine Coon is its shimmering fur, which has a light undercoat with darker, almost black tips, creating a “smoky” or shaded effect.
This coat pattern is the result of specific genetic traits that interact to produce the characteristic color and look.
Unlike solid-colored Maine Coons, the Smoke variation exhibits a unique combination of dark-tipped fur and a lighter base giving them an almost ethereal or misty appearance, particularly when their fur moves in the light.
Color Variations
The Smoke Maine Coon comes in several colors, with the “smoke” pattern applying to various base colors. Some of the most common Smoke color variations include:
Black Smoke
The Black Smoke pattern is one of the most common and striking. The fur is black at the tips and fades to a silvery-white base creating a dramatic, gleaming appearance, particularly under sunlight.
This is the most iconic Smoke variation, with the Maine Coon’s fur appearing mostly black with a silvery-white undercoat.
Blue Smoke
The Blue Smoke Maine Coon has a blue-gray coat with a silvery undercoat, giving it a cool, misty appearance.
Blue Smoke Maine Coons have a coat where the tips are a deep bluish-gray, and the undercoat is silver or pale blue. This color pattern is less common.
Blue Smoke coats are typically more muted and cooler in tone compared to Black Smoke. The overall effect is soft, with a shimmering silver base contrasting beautifully with the darker blue tips of the fur.
Red Smoke
Red Smoke Maine Coons are rare. Thir fur is typically a deep orange-red or a darker shade of red at the tips, while the base is a light silvery or cream color.
Cream Smoke
Cream Smoke Maine Coons have a soft, light-colored coat, with cream or beige fur at the tips and a pale, almost white undercoat. This color pattern is gentle and delicate, giving the cat a soft, pastel look.
Tortoiseshell Smoke
A variation of the Smoke pattern, Tortoiseshell Smoke (also called “torbies”) combines the smoky fur effect with the tortoiseshell color pattern, which is typically a mix of black, orange, and cream.
Silver Smoke
The Silver Smoke pattern is very similar to the Blue Smoke but has a lighter, more refined look. The tips of the fur are a darker silvery-gray, while the undercoat is white or silver.
Genetics And Alleles
The Smoke coat pattern is primarily influenced by genetics. Specifically, it is the result of a combination of alleles that dictate how the fur color develops.
The main genetic factors at play are:
The Inhibitor Gene
This gene is responsible for the lighter undercoat characteristic of the smoke coat pattern.
It suppresses the pigmentation near the roots of the fur, leaving the fur lighter at the base while allowing the tips to remain dark. This gives the “smoky” appearance. The gene for this effect is often denoted as the I allele.
The Agouti Gene
The Agouti gene is responsible for the tabby patterning seen in many Maine Coons, and it can affect the Smoke pattern as well.
For example, an agouti gene can cause the fur to appear as alternating bands of color, which adds depth to the overall look of the cat’s coat.
Color Dilution
The dilution gene can affect the intensity of a cat’s color, making the fur appear lighter. For instance, in blue or cream Smoke Maine Coons, this gene helps lighten the coat.
The “B” And “D” Genes
The black base coat color in a smoke Maine Coon is determined by the B allele, while the intensity of the black color can be affected by the D allele (which dilutes the color in certain cats).
This can lead to variations like the Blue Smoke (blue-gray) or Red Smoke (orange) Maine Coons. In terms of inheritance, these genes follow typical Mendelian patterns.
For a cat to have the smoke pattern, it must inherit the relevant alleles from both parents, meaning that both must carry the necessary genetic traits to produce the specific fur pattern.
Origins
The Smoke Maine Coon’s origins are deeply rooted in the breed’s history.
The Maine Coon cat itself is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America, believed to have originated in the northeastern United States, particularly in Maine.
While the breed’s exact origins are unclear, it is widely believed that Maine Coons were the result of crossbreeding between long-haired domestic cats brought over by early European settlers and local short-haired cats.
The Smoke coloration likely developed over time as part of the natural genetic diversity within the breed.
The Smoke variation became increasingly popular due to its striking appearance and unique look, eventually being formally recognized within the breed’s standards by cat associations like The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
Rarity
Smoke Maine Coons are considered rare compared to other color variations. While exact statistics are hard to come by, it’s estimated that only 5-10% of Maine Coons exhibit the smoke coloration.
This rarity is primarily due to the specific genetic combination required to produce the smoke coat pattern, which requires the inheritance of certain alleles for the fur’s unique coloration.
The smoke Maine Coon is less common primarily because the genetics behind the smoke pattern are recessive, meaning both parents must carry the specific genes that allow for the development of the smoke coat.
Furthermore, the Smoke Maine Coon is often a product of careful breeding, as breeders select for the smoky pattern in addition to the breed’s typical size, structure, and temperament.
Smoke Maine Coons are produced when both parent cats carry the smoke gene, which is a recessive trait.
Famous Smoke Maine Coons
While specific famous smoke Maine Coon cats are not as widely known as some other individual cats within the breed, there are a few well-known figures that have gained attention.
Here are a few notable examples:
1. Ch. Kittan’s Black Diamond
Kittan’s Black Diamond is a renowned Black Smoke Maine Coon who has garnered recognition in cat shows and exhibitions.
This male cat is particularly well-known in the world of Maine Coon enthusiasts due to his impeccable breed standard conformance and striking smoky coloration.
With his deep black smoke coat and large, muscular frame, Black Diamond represents the iconic beauty of the Smoke Maine Coon variety. His coat showcases the typical silver undercoat with darker tips characteristic of the smoke gene.
Kittan’s Black Diamond has been part of breeding programs aimed at producing more high-quality Maine Coons, helping to showcase the unique and rare beauty of the Smoke pattern.
2. Hershey
Hershey is a silver Smoke Maine Coon that has been featured in several online forums, Maine Coon communities, and social media.
Hershey became popular due to her graceful appearance, paired with a playful personality that many owners of Maine Coons can relate to.
Hershey’s coat features a silvery-white undercoat and darker silver tips, which shimmer beautifully in the light.
3. Alfred
Alfred is another famous smoke Maine Coon known for his unique and eye-catching look. He has been featured in several social media accounts dedicated to Maine Coon cats, attracting followers due to his majestic silver smoke coat and calm demeanor.
Alfred’s fur is a stunning blend of silver and dark tips, giving him a regal and luxurious look. His deep-set eyes and large build further highlight the characteristic traits of a Maine Coon, making him a beloved figure among cat enthusiasts.
4. Jinx
Jinx is a blue smoke Maine Coon known for his impressive appearance and personality.
As a prominent figure in Maine Coon cat shows, Jinx has been widely admired for his silky blue smoke coat, which consists of a steel-blue base with silver tips.
Jinx boasts a striking blue smoke coat that is both sleek and fluffy, typical of Maine Coon cats. His build is muscular, and he is recognized for his well-defined features, tufted ears, and bushy tail.
Jinx’s success in competitions helped put the blue smoke variety on the map, making it more recognized within the Maine Coon community.
