Maru the cat, known for his love of sitting in cardboard boxes, has died. According to his owners, who made the announcement on the YouTube channel Mugumogu, Maru died on Sep 6 after being ill; a vet checkup later revealed he had a tumour in his lungs. He was 18.

A statement by his owners read: “Maru was usually laid-back, but in his very last moment he made an unexpected final sprint… Thank you for supporting Maru until his end.”

Maru, a Scottish Fold who lived in Japan, became famous on the internet for his love of boxes and his ability to comfortably fit himself into any sized receptacle. His fame came after the ninth clip posted by his owner – of Maru jumping into small cardboard boxes and with his legs sticking out – went viral in 2008.

The Guinness World Records awarded Maru the r

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