Editing Maine Coon (section)

==== Myths ====
Maine Coon cats are known to have originated in Maine. However, their lineage is surrounded by mystery, [[Folklore|folk tales]], and myths. One myth claims the Maine Coon cat is a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] with another animal species, such as the [[raccoon]] or [[bobcat]]. The second myth states the cats are descendants of [[Vikings|Viking]] [[ship's cat]]s, known today as the [[Norwegian Forest cat]]s. A third story involves [[Marie Antoinette]], the [[List of Queens and Empresses of France|Queen of France]] who was executed in 1793. The story goes that before her death, Antoinette attempted to escape from France with the help of Captain Samuel Clough. She loaded Clough's ship with her most prized possessions, including six of her favorite [[Turkish Angora]] or possibly [[Siberian cat|Siberian]] cats. Although she did not make it to the United States, all of her pets managed to reach the shore of [[Wiscasset, Maine|Wiscasset]], Maine, safely, where they bred with other short-haired breeds and developed into the modern breed of the Maine Coon.<ref name="MCR">{{cite web |title=History, Legends and Myths of the Maine Coon |url=http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205134158/http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/history.html |archive-date=5 December 2008 |access-date=26 October 2008 |publisher=Maine Coon Rescue}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Are Maine coon cats really from Maine? |url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2016/05/19/news/are-maine-coon-cats-really-from-maine/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127085908/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2016/05/19/news/are-maine-coon-cats-really-from-maine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>