The Tail Test: Measuring the Plume of a Maine Coon#

They call it “The Tail with a Cat Attached.”

When a Maine Coon walks into a room, the tail usually arrives five seconds later. It is a flowing, waving banner of fur that seems to have a life of its own.

But lots of cats have fluffy tails. Ragdolls have fluffy tails. Persians have fluffy tails. What makes the Maine Coon tail distinct?

It comes down to Length and Structure. In the wild, this tail was a survival tool. Today, it is one of the easiest ways to distinguish a Maine Coon from a regular Domestic Longhair.

The “Shoulder Blade” Rule#

How long is long? The Breed Standard has a specific metric.

The Test:

Wait for your cat to stand up.
Gently take the tail and fold it back along the cat’s spine (towards the head).
A Maine Coon tail should reach at least to the shoulder blades.

Ideally, it reaches the neck. Some extreme cats have tails that reach their ears.

A standard domestic cat’s tail usually stops at the mid-back. The Maine Coon has elongated vertebrae, giving them that extra reach.

The “Scarf” Function#

Why is it so long? It isn’t for balance. It is for warmth.

Maine Coons sleep in a tight ball (“The Donut”). They wrap that long tail all the way around their body and tuck their nose into the fur of the tail tip. The tail acts as a built-in scarf and air filter. It traps warm air around the nose, protecting their lungs from freezing sub-zero air.

If you see your cat sleeping with their nose buried in their tail, they are using an ancient survival instinct.

The “Bottle Brush” vs. “The Plume”#

There are two types of fluffiness.

The Bottle Brush: The fur stands straight out (like a scared Halloween cat).
The Plume: The fur is long, flowing, and drapes downward like a willow tree.

Maine Coons have the Plume. The hair on the tail is long and shaggy. When they hold it up, the fur cascades down.

The “Raccoon” Rings: Even solid-colored Maine Coons often have faint rings on their tail (Ghost Markings). This is the origin of the Raccoon Myth. On a Red Tabby or Silver Tabby, these rings are stark and beautiful.

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Tail Language: The “Question Mark”#

Maine Coons are very expressive with their tails. While most cats twitch their tails when annoyed, Maine Coons often hold their tails high in a “Question Mark” shape (?) when they are happy to see you.

Because the tail is so heavy, they rarely hold it perfectly straight up. The tip usually flops over.

Grooming the Plume#

The tail is the “No Fly Zone” for many cats. They hate having it brushed. However, it is also a magnet for burrs, litter, and tangles.

Rule: Never use a Furminator or blade on the tail. Tail hair takes years to grow back. If you cut it or rip it out, your cat will look like a rat for a very long time.
Method: Use a wide-toothed metal comb. Gently pick apart tangles. Treat it like antique lace.

Conclusion#

The tail is the exclamation point at the end of the Maine Coon. It is majestic, functional, and ridiculously long. Measure it today—you might be surprised just how much cat you actually have.

Resources & Further Reading#

CFA. (n.d.). Maine Coon Breed Profile: The Tail.
Journal of Ethology. (2020). Tail movements and communication in cats.