Maine Coon vs. Bobcat: Debunking the Hybrid Myth#

Every year, I get an email with a blurry photo of a large, brown tabby cat sitting on a porch. The subject line is always the same: “Is my cat part Bobcat?”

It is the oldest legend in the Maine Coon world. The story goes that the Maine Coon is the result of a forbidden romance between a domestic farm cat and a wild American Bobcat (Lynx rufus). It explains everything: the ear tufts, the size, the hunting prowess.

It is a romantic story. It is also biologically impossible.

While other wild hybrids exist (like the Bengal and the Savannah), the Maine Coon is 100% domestic. Here is the science behind the myth, and how to tell if your “wild” cat is actually just a big, fluffy tabby.

The Genetic Barrier: Chromosomes and Biology#

The primary reason a Maine Coon cannot be a Bobcat hybrid is chromosomal compatibility.

Domestic Cat (Felis catus): 38 Chromosomes.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus): 38 Chromosomes.

“Wait,” you say. “They have the same number!” [cite_start]Yes, but as noted in Robinson’s Genetics for Cat Breeders, having the same number does not guarantee compatibility[cite: 1214]. The genetic distance between the Felis and Lynx genera is vast. While some hybrids have been reported (like the “Legend Cat” or “Pixie Bob” folklore), confirmed DNA testing has consistently shown that Maine Coons share no genetic markers with Bobcats. [cite_start]They are genetically distinct[cite: 2433].

Visual Differences: The Tail Tells the Tale#

The easiest way to debunk the Bobcat theory is to look at the rear end of the cat.

1. The Tail

Bobcat: Has a naturally short, “bobbed” tail, usually 4-6 inches long.
Maine Coon: Has a long, flowing plume. [cite_start]The breed standard requires the tail to be at least as long as the body[cite: 2439]. If your cat has a long tail, it is not a first-generation Bobcat hybrid.

2. The Ears (Ocelli)

Bobcat: Has distinct white spots on the back of the black ears, known as “Ocelli.” These are used for signaling kittens in tall grass.
Maine Coon: Does not have Ocelli. The ears are solid color (or tabby patterned) on the back.

3. The Feet

Bobcat: Has massive, oversized paws proportional to its body (natural snowshoes), but they are rounded.
[cite_start]Maine Coon: Also has large paws (often polydactyl), but they are tufted between the toes, not just padded on the bottom[cite: 2268].

The “Pixie Bob” Confusion#

Much of the confusion comes from a breed called the Pixie Bob. This is a domestic cat bred specifically to look like a Bobcat. It has a short tail, spotted coat, and wild face.

The Reality: Despite early marketing claims, DNA testing proved the Pixie Bob is 100% domestic cat. It is a triumph of selective breeding, not hybridization.

Conclusion#

Your Maine Coon is not part Bobcat. [cite_start]He is something equally impressive: a farm cat that survived the harsh New England winters by getting big, growing a thick coat, and becoming a master hunter[cite: 2435]. He doesn’t need wild blood to be a legend.

References#

Robinson, R. (1999). Robinson’s Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians. Butterworth-Heinemann. [cite_start]“Origin and Species Hybridity.” [cite: 1214]
Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat. Down East Books. [cite_start]“The Bobcat Marriage.” [cite: 2433]
CFA. Maine Coon Breed Standard.
TICA. Pixie Bob Breed Introduction.
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab. Wild Cat Hybrid Analysis.