The Maine Coon cat breed is named after the U.S. state of Maine. The breed developed naturally in the northeastern United States and became especially associated with Maine, where it was valued as a farm and shipboard cat.
Maine Coons are among the largest domestic cat breeds. Their long, shaggy coats, large paws, ear tufts, and bushy tails helped them cope with cold, snowy conditions. The tail is often compared with a raccoon’s tail, although the breed is not descended from raccoons; that popular story is biologically impossible.
The breed appeared in early American cat shows and was recognized by major cat organizations during the twentieth century. Its name identifies its regional association, not a precise village or breeder. Maine Coon cats can occur in many colors and patterns, so the name does not describe one particular coat color.