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This article is about the furry mustelid animal. For other meanings, see sable (disambiguation).

? Sable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Martes Species: M. zibellina
Binomial name
Martes zibellina Linnaeus, 1758

The sable, a small quadruped, closely akin to the martens, and known by the zoological names of Martes zibellina or Mustela zibellina, originated in Siberia and has achieved fame for its fur, which is integrated into various clothes fashions (for example a Shtreimel). Sables range in color from tan to black, black being the most prized.

Sables are diurnal carnivores, using their sense of smell and hearing to hunt for small prey. They have been observed to hide in their dens for days during periods such as snow storms, or when they are being hunted by humans. In the wild they are potentially vicious; although there are "domesticated" sables who have been described as playful, curious, and even "tame" (if taken from their mother at a young age). They are mostly terrestrial, hunting and constructing dens on the forest floor. They feed on chipmunks, squirrels, mice, small birds and fish. When primary sources are scarce they eat berries, vegetation, and pine nuts. When weather conditions are extreme they will store their prey in their den.

The name sable appears to be Slavonic in origin: compare Russian sobol, whence various languages have adapted the term: German Zobel, Dutch Sabel; the French zibelline Spanish cibelina, cebellina and Mediaeval Latin zibellina derive from the Italian form. The English and Mediaeval Latin word sabellum comes from the Old French sable or saible.

Sable hair is used both for the fur industry as well as for paint brushes. Sable fur makes the finest water color or oil paint brushes and is especially sought after by artists. Kolinksi Sable brushes, produced using the winter fur of the male sable, are considered the highest quality artist brushes available.

The term has become a generic description for some black-furred animal breeds, such as sable cats or rabbits.

The lyrics of a popular Christmas song "Santa Baby" by Marilyn Monroe makes mention a sable thusly, "Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me." In this usage it refers to an article of clothing such as a coat or stole made of the fur of the sable.

This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain.

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