Sable Animal Fur Belongs on Sables, Not on Clothes

Sables resemble pine martens — their close relatives — with slender, elongated bodies, short legs and bushy tails.

Their fur is dense and silky, varying from light brown to nearly black, with the most valuable sable fur being uniformly dark and soft. Some sables may have a lighter patch of yellow or orange on their throats, but pure sable coats are especially sought after for their consistent color.

Sable hair allows the animal to survive in cold climates. The undercoat provides warmth. Shed fur from sables maintains its softness, making it one of the reasons sable fur skins remain highly desirable. Whether on fur farms or in the wild, their luxurious fur sets them apart.

The sable species (Martes zibellina) includes several subspecies, each adapted to its regional habitat. Russian sables are particularly famous, with wild-caught Russian furs often considered the most valuable sable pelts. Japanese sables, native to Japan, are known for their slightly coarser fur.

The differences in fur quality among subspecies have long influenced their role in the fur trade. Imperial Russian fur companies and other traders often sought the most valuable sable fur from regions with high-quality pelts, such as Siberia and the Russian Far East.

Sables are solitary creatures for much of the year, coming together primarily during the breeding season. They are agile and secretive, spending their time hunting small prey and avoiding predators.

Young sables remain with their mothers for several months, learning essential survival skills before venturing off on their own. In areas where sable hunting is common, their cautious behavior is crucial to their survival.

As carnivorous mammals, sables have a diet that includes small mammals, like chipmunks, birds, fish and insects. They're opportunistic feeders and will also consume berries and other vegetation when available.

The sable's diet contributes to its role in the ecosystem, as it helps control populations of smaller animals and disperses seeds through its foraging habits.

Sables thrive in dense forests across Eurasia — particularly in Siberia, where their thick, insulating fur keeps them warm in cold climates. These environments offer the cover and resources sables need to hunt, breed and evade predators.

The life cycle of a sable begins with a gestation period of about 245 to 298 days (or about nine months), followed by the birth of a small litter. The young, called kits, are born blind and rely entirely on their mother for warmth and food. As they grow, they shed fur like adults and develop the dense coat that defines the species.

Sables reach maturity within a year and can live up to 15 years in captivity, though their lifespan in the wild is often shorter due to predation and sable hunting. The breeding season's timing and success often influence sable populations, particularly in areas where fur trade practices still occur.

The medieval fur trade and beyond have impacted sable populations. While sable hunting has historically threatened their numbers, modern conservation efforts and the rise of sable farms have helped stabilize populations in many regions.

However, the demand for valuable sable pelts and fur garments means the sable remains a target in both legal and illegal markets. Protecting wild populations and promoting ethical practices in fur farming are key to preserving this species.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.