Editing Sable (section)

{{Short description|Species of marten}}
{{About|the mammal}}
{{distinguish|Sabre}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Sable
| image = Sobol bur.jpg
| image_caption = 
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Martes zibellina'' |author=Monakhov, V.G. |date=2016 |page=e.T41652A45213477 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41652A45213477.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Martes
| species = zibellina
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| range_map = Sable area.png
| range_map_caption = Sable range
{{leftlegend|green|Extant|outline=gray}}
{{leftlegend|black|Extinct|outline=gray}}
| synonyms = * ''Mustela zibellina'' <small>Linnaeus,&nbsp;1758</small>
* ''Crocutictis zibellina''
}}

The '''sable''' ('''''Martes zibellina''''') is a [[species]] of [[marten]], a small omnivorous mammal primarily inhabiting the [[taiga|forest]] environments of [[Russia]], from the [[Ural Mountains]] throughout [[Siberia]], and northern [[Mongolia]]. Its habitat also borders eastern [[Kazakhstan]], [[China]], [[North Korea]] and [[Hokkaido]], [[Japan]].<ref name="martens">{{cite book |editor-last=Harrison |editor-first=D. J. |title=Martens and Fishers (''Martes'') in Human-Altered Environments: An International Perspective |publisher=Springer-Verlag |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-387-22580-7}}</ref>

The name "sable" originates from Slavic languages and entered Western European languages through the medieval fur trade. Sables are small, omnivorous mammals that inhabit dense forests in regions like Russia, Mongolia, and China. They are known for their luxurious fur, which ranges from light to dark brown and is softer and silkier than that of [[American marten]]s. Sables resemble pine martens in size and appearance but have more elongated heads, longer ears, and shorter tails. They are skilled climbers and primarily hunt by sound and scent. Mating occurs between June and August, and litters typically have two or three offspring. Sable fur has been highly valued in the fur trade since the early Middle Ages, and its popularity has driven hunting and conservation efforts. Today, sable fur is often used to decorate clothing items, and the species has no special conservation status according to the [[IUCN Red List]].