Where are Maine Coon cats from?

Maine Coons are from the state of Maine. The most plausible idea about their origins is that European traders in the 1700s brought long-haired cats (such as the Norwegian Forest cat and Siberian cat) on their ships as ratters, and these cats then mated with local short-haired cats in Maine. The combination created a new breed with a robust constitution and a weather-resistant, rugged coat that could withstand Maine weather. The first documented historical mention of the Maine Coon was in 1861, referring to a black and white cat owned by a soldier.

But according to a myth, the Maine Coon descends from long-haired cats sent to Maine by Marie Antoinette ahead of her escape from France. When the French queen never made her way to North America, her cats were left to wander and breed with other cats in the area, resulting in the unique Maine Coon.