Maine Coon cats are the largest breed of domestic cat – which is why they often look like they belong traipsing through a forest rather than feeding out of a food bowl.

These gentle giants are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. – and yes, they are native to Maine.

They’re also impressively furry, with long, luxurious tails and mighty ruffs around their necks. It’s no wonder that the look like little lions!

Here are 20 cats that show you just how majestic these creatures can be:

1. That’s a CAT?!

C’mon, if this cat really wanted to, don’t you think it could pass as a small lion?

Just look at that mane!

2. Couch lion

Have fun moving that cat off the couch. Anything it lays on is now officially its territory.

There are two dogs in this household as well but somehow we feel like we know who’s in charge

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A post shared by Kelly Mattingly (@titan_tamer) on Nov 26, 2015 at 6:16pm PST

3. We’re gonna need a bigger chair

That can’t be comfortable.

But Indigo’s Instagram page is full of majestically posed photos.

Everyone deserves a break from their online persona now and again.

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A post shared by Finnegan and Indigo (@findigo_mainecoon) on Nov 25, 2015 at 6:37am PST

4. What a handful

On the one hand, this house lion looks deeply unamused by being picked up.

Then again, it almost looks like it’s sticking its legs out just to prove how long it is.

Behold its glory!

5. Unamused

Ok, we’ll go with domestic bobcat for this one.

It really is amazing how big these cats can get.

Just look at the size of its paws!

6. Lengthy specimen

What can we say that hasn’t already been said? It’s huge!

Our much smaller cat would never agree to be held like this.

Then again, she has nothing to prove in the length department.

7. Small chair or big cat?

Ok, so we all know the answer to that question.

This is Beowulf. We certainly wouldn’t want to be named Grendel in this house.

8. Dog cat

Why jump up on the counter like a cat when you can just reach up there from the floor like a dog?

Looks like someone wants some mayo.

Just give it up already – this cat is going to take what it wants.

9. Omar the Magnificent

Omar’s favorite hobby is doing nothing, according to his owner.

To be fair, he’s not your average Maine Coon. At nearly 4 feet long, he’s one of the biggest domestic cats in the world.

And we don’t want to know the details, but apparently he really enjoys eating raw kangaroo.

10. Desk panther

Cats make it hard to work from home no matter what their size.

We’re actually pretty impressed that this cat is on the other side of the laptop.

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A post shared by Maine Coon Tycoon (@maine_coon_tycoon) on Jul 26, 2020 at 2:27pm PDT

11. Rawr

Say no more, kitty, you’re the boss!

This is Zipp. He lives in The Netherlands and we’re pretty sure his full-time job is just sitting around being gorgeous.

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A post shared by Zipp & Dex (@zipp.dex) on Jul 27, 2020 at 8:48am PDT

12. King of the kitchen

When this cat says its dinnertime you best not ignore him.

That is not a look you want to get from your house lion, lest you become dinner.

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A post shared by Персик – Maine Coon (@persik_mainecoon_lg) on Jul 27, 2020 at 8:14am PDT

13. Floof tail

One area where Maine Coon cats far exceed lions in terms of majesty is in their tails.

Real lions have skinny little things.

They can’t even compare to this.

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A post shared by 𝑮𝒘𝒆𝒏 (@x.little.wallflower.x) on Jul 27, 2020 at 7:55am PDT

14. Belly of the beast

This cat weighs 27 pounds!

One of the many interesting things about Maine Coons is that they can take 3-5 years to reach their full size, whereas other cats do so in about a year.

15. Don’t mess with me

Look at this gorgeous beast!

It can be whatever animal it wants to be.

Those ears are truly something to behold.

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A post shared by Luca Scognamiglio (@luca.samoa) on Jul 27, 2020 at 7:44am PDT

16. Lion king

From what we can tell from his Instagram page, all Rufus does all day is sit around and glare intimidatingly at the camera.

And yet, somehow he makes it look like a noble hobby.

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A post shared by Rufus & Sissi (@rufusissi_mainecoons) on Jul 27, 2020 at 7:06am PDT

17. Cuddles are for housecats

This is Touran and we don’t even want to know how long he was in a bad mood after this photo was taken.

He must really love his human sister if he isn’t clawing at her.

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A post shared by Jorah and Sega The Maine Coons (@jorahandsegathemainecoons) on Jul 27, 2020 at 5:35am PDT

18. Upon his throne

Coco isn’t giving up his throne any time soon.

Come usurp the crown if you want to sit down so bad.

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A post shared by Coco and Floki (@cocoandfloki) on Jul 27, 2020 at 6:12am PDT

19. Reflections on jungle life

Mila is so big and beautiful she hardly looks like she belongs in a house.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s best to keep a cat indoors, it’s just that she looks like some otherworldly creature (in a good way, of course).

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A post shared by Vic & Mila & Pien (@houseoffluffballs) on Jul 27, 2020 at 4:46am PDT

20. Jorah of the North

Apparently, this is not an angry polar bear trying to get out of a house.

It might come as a surprise to some that he was born of cats, but it’s more believable when you know his father was a show cat that once won the title “Supreme Champion” (of the universe, we assume).

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A post shared by Jorah and Sega The Maine Coons (@jorahandsegathemainecoons) on Apr 6, 2020 at 2:01pm PDT

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We’re not sure we’re ready for our own luxuriously-haired house lion yet, but we could look at these beauties all day!

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