Can you have a Sable as a Pet? Well, even if you can, you should certainly drop the idea of keeping a pet, Sable.
Individuals across the world are fascinated with keeping unique pets at home. While cats and dogs are the most popular options, exotic pets aren’t left behind.
Count it as fascination or the idea of being cool; enthusiasts have left no animal behind when it comes to keeping them as pets. And one such common animal is ‘Sable.’
What is a Sable?
Sable is an omnivorous opportunist. The Species of marten Sables belong to the Mustelidae family, and they are native throughout the regions of Russia.
One can commonly find Sables in northern Mongolia and the Ural Mountains throughout Siberia. It is also possible to spot some species of them in eastern Kazakhstan, Japan, North Korea, China, and Hokkaido.
Sables have an appearance quite similar to Weasles have short legs, elongated bodies, and relatively long tails.
These dark-furred animals usually have thick brown or black fur with light color patches on their throats. Sable’s fur is highly valued and is used for different purposes.
Is Sable a ferret or Weasel?
The sable is a small, versatile, forest-dwelling mammal that lives throughout the Ural Mountain range in Russia.
Animals (such as weasels, ferrets, minks, sables, martens, and polecats) that are closely related include animals like otters and badgers.
A Russian sable is related to the ferrets and is considered a type of marten. Whereas, The sable is a fine, carnivorous animal in the weasel family. The common name for the animal is often used in Europe and Asia as well as America
Where do Sables come from?
Sables came from the forests of northern Asia and are closely associated with European and American species.
Sables have been in the presence for thousands of years, and their popularity is long-lived.
During the early Middle age, their fur was valuable since it could retain its softness despite you stroking it in any direction.
Sable Species Taxonomy Chart
| Name | Sable |
| Other Names | No other Names |
| Scientific Names | Martes zibellina |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Genus | Martes |
| Species | Martes zibellina |
| Niche | Omnivorous Opportunist |
| Size | Length: 15-22 in (38-56 cm) Weight: 2-4 lbs (800-1800 g) |
| Lifespan | 20 years |
Does Sable make good pets?
No, Sables are wild animals and are not meant for domestication. Providing them with the right living environment, house training them, and handling their unique temperament is extremely tricky.
It takes high dedication, knowledge, and effort to keep Sables and pets. Though even after that, this wild animal may turn out highly disappointing for several individuals.
Is It Legal To Keep Sable As a Pet?
For keeping exotic animals like Sables as Pets, one has to look after laws. In most parts of the world, it is illegal to keep Sables as Pets.
Individuals who do it unlawfully may have to face a strict fine and even land into deep legal troubles.
Are Sables legal in the US?
While some parts of the United States allow keeping Sable as a pet, other regions have a strict ban on the same.
For instance, States including Georgia, New Hemisphere, Arizona, Utah, and Maine prohibit owning mustelids and weasels as pets.
Whereas States including North and South Dakota and Virginia allow keeping Sable as a pet only after getting a special permit.
Besides checking State laws, it is also essential to go through the regional laws before keeping a Sable.
Regardless of whether a State allows or not exotic pets, there could be some regions within that may impose a ban.
Can you have Sables as pets?
Sables definitely appear cute and playful, but by nature, they are exactly the opposite of that. Humans have already bred Sables on fur farms; however, they are still not meant for domestication.
They live a very free and wild life in forests which is exactly opposite to what pets experience around humans.
Sables even receive different levels of care in animal facilities, and it is difficult to replicate all of that at the domestic level.
Having Sables as pets is a completely personal choice. However, it is advisable to drop the idea of bringing these exotic animals’ homes and keep them as pets.
Getting a Sable Ferret/Wesel: What You Need to Know
Sable Housing Needs
Sables survive in a dense forest habitat anywhere from sea level to high mountain ranges. In the wild, they build their dens on the ground and do not inhabit areas above the tree line. However, in captivity, Sables can survive in an extravagant cave setting.
For housing Sable as a pet at home, the best is to transform at least one to two acres of land into an open house cage.
The area must consist of a soil base, a different variety of trees with branches, and a few small streams.
Despite whatever is inside, the entire section must be chained/ caged with metal roads. This is necessary to keep the Sable from escaping or entering the human zone.
Sable Temperature & Humidity Needs
Sables can handle both summers and winter, given no season is at its peak.
Since they handle different kinds of temperature and humidity changes in the wild, they can tackle it in captivity as well.
Sable Dietary Needs
Sables, though are Carnivorous but depending upon the situation, they can also turn omnivorous. Their diet commonly consists of mice, squirrels, eggs, fish, rabbits, hares, rats, chipmunks, birds, etc.
Sables heavily rely on their hearing and sense of smell for hunting and are great for hunting. Though when food is scarce, Sables also feed on fruits, berries, nuts, and other plant things.
Sables are crepuscular and nocturnal except for their reproductive season. Their activity phase is classified as 10% during the day, 18% during the night, and 72% during twilight.
Due to this, while keeping a Sable in captivity, it is important to provide them with their diet while their most active hours.
Sable Cleaning
Sables being wild animals, can clean themselves up easily. Once in a while, they will definitely enjoy a shower; however, they do not require regular cleaning and grooming like dogs and cats.
Besides that, it is easy to litter box train Sable. Providing a soil or paper pulp litter box is preferable. Though consider avoiding Clay or clumping litters.
While you are just beginning with the training, move your pet Sables’ potty to the litter box daily.
This will help them learn the behavior. Also, they will further start associating stool with litter box and begin releasing themselves accordingly.
Common Health Problems with Sable
Sables are unfortunately prone to several health problems.
The common health problems that attack Sables include viruses, parasites, canine and feline distempers, and teeth issues.
Since Sables are hyperactive about chewing, they often tend to self-harm by chewing things that aren’t meant to be.
They can suffer from major problems, including disorders of the adrenal glands and even types of cancer.
How much does a sable cost?
Sables are status symbols for many, especially in the Russian region. As pets, Sables can cost anywhere between $500 to $1200.
However, for a Russian sable fur coat, the cost can range easily between $1,500 to $75,000.
Even human clothes and other products made with Sable coats cost $20,000 on average.
And if the fur belongs to the Russian Sable, the cost will increase rapidly.
At the same time, American and Canadian Sables and their fur are comparatively cheaper.
Where to buy a Sable? How to find a Sable breeder?
It is easier and cheaper to find Sables in Russia than in the USA. And since Sables aren’t native to the American region, they also are expensive here.
If you are really interested in buying a Sable, you must look out for exotic pet dealers in your region. These experts may not have one in stock but can arrange one on-demand.
However, buying from any dealer far across is never a great idea. Importing animals like Sables requires a lot of documentation, certification, license, and permit.
At every stage of the route, you will have to handle different challenges, sometimes unresolvable ones.
Or, go for the contemporary way and contact websites that sell and home deliver exotic pets. For example, exotic animals for sale provide Sable on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sables Friendly? Can I keep one Sables as a pet?
No, sadly, Sables aren’t friendly. They might mingle with others from their tribe but rarely with humans. That is why, while you are planning to pet a sable, it is always better to go for pairs.
When to reconsider getting a pet sable?
Individuals who have young kids and other pets should definitely reconsider getting a pet sable.
How many kids do Sables give birth to?
It is common for Sables to birth 3 to 7 litters in one go. These exotic wilds experience a full gestation period which lasts about nine months. For the first seven weeks, the mother sable will care and feed her litter. Though thereafter, from the 8th week, it will let the animal survive individually in the wild.
Are Sables aggressive?
Yes, certainly Sables are extremely aggressive. Like any other wild animal, they can have a wild and destructive attitude towards humans.
Conclusion
Keeping exotic wild animals like Sables may fascinate you, but it is never a good idea. Sables are wild and thus highly unpredictable. Even after being with a human owner for years, they can turn aggressive the very next minute.
If you are really into Sables, it is better to visit them in an animal care center or a Zoo. You can observe the animal and yet stay at a safer distance from them. This is ideal for both Sables and self.