What animal does sable fur come from?

Sable fur comes from a species of marten. The marten is an omnivorous mammal that dwells primarily in forests within the Northern Hemisphere. It is part of the family Mustelidae, which includes badgers, otters, weasels, skunks and wolverines.

Martens are solitary animals. They prefer thicker forests, which provide more cover, but they can also be found in sparser woodlands if there is enough undergrowth and fallen trees to serve as shelter. Sable fur has been prized by trappers since the Middle Ages due to its unique quality of retaining smoothness no matter which direction it is stroked. It was especially valued by nobility in the Russian Empire.