The Black Maine Coon: Panther Lookalikes & Tuxedo Charm#

There is something undeniably primal about a Black Maine Coon. When you see a 20lb solid black cat with yellow eyes staring at you from the top of a cat tree, it doesn’t look like a house pet. It looks like a miniature Bagheera from The Jungle Book.

Black Maine Coons are currently having a massive surge in popularity, thanks largely to viral “Black Smoke” videos on TikTok. But before you hunt for your house panther, you need to understand what you are buying—and the grooming upkeep that comes with dark fur.

The Three Types of “Black”#

In the Maine Coon world, “Black” isn’t just one color. It comes in three distinct flavors.

1. Solid Black#

This cat is black from root to tip.

The Look: In the sunlight, you might see “ghost markings” (faint stripes), especially on kittens. This is because all cats are genetically tabbies; the solid gene just “masks” the stripes.
The Grooming: Solid black fur tends to be sleeker and slightly more oily than tabby fur. It shows dust and dander instantly.

A Solid Black Maine Coon looking like a panther on a dark chair — The Solid Black Maine Coon is often sought after for its wild, 'panther-like' appearance.

2. Black Smoke#

This is the “It Cat” of 2025.

The Look: The cat looks black when resting. But when it walks, stretches, or the wind blows, the fur parts to reveal a stark white undercoat. It creates a shimmering, ghostly effect.
The Price: Expect to pay a premium ($3,000+) for a high-contrast Black Smoke.

3. Black and White (Tuxedo / Bicolor)#

The Look: A black cat with white paws, chest, or face.
The Pattern:
- Tuxedo: White paws and chest (formal wear).
- Van: Mostly white with black color only on the head and tail.
- Harlequin: Mostly white with random large black patches.

The Personality Myth#

You might have heard that black cats are aggressive or “spooky.” This is nonsense. In my experience interacting with dozens of Maine Coons at shows, the Black solids are often the most laid-back “velcro” cats. The Tuxedos, however, have a reputation for being remarkably intelligent and mischievous. There is a running joke in the community: “If a cat figured out how to open the fridge, it was probably a Tuxedo.”

Buying Advice: The “Rust” Issue#

If you own a Black Maine Coon, you might notice their fur turning reddish-brown in the summer.

Cause: This is called “Rusting.” It happens when the sun bleaches the melanin in the fur.
Solution: If you want your panther to stay jet black, you need to limit their sunbathing time (good luck with that) or ensure their diet has enough Tyrosine (an amino acid required for black pigment).
Diet: Raw diets rich in red meat often help maintain that deep, ink-black color.

Conclusion#

A Black Maine Coon is a stunning animal, but be prepared for the maintenance. Black fur shows everything—dust, dandruff, and litter dust. You will become best friends with your grooming brush. But for the look of a wild jungle cat purring on your sofa? It’s absolutely worth it.

Resources & Further Reading#

UC Davis Veterinary Genetics: Agouti and Melanism in Cats.
TICA: Coat Color Descriptions.
Maine Coon Central: The Black Smoke Phenomenon.