Sable vs. Stoat — What's the Difference?

Solitary and nocturnal hunter.

Subject to fluctuations in population.

Has a valuable fur in the trade market.

A small, versatile predator known for its fur color change.

A forest-dwelling carnivore prized for its dark fur.

Adaptable to a wide range of habitats.

Inhabits cold, forested regions.

Exhibits aggressive territorial behavior.

Predominantly eats small mammals and birds.

Can kill prey much larger than itself.

The sable (Martes zibellina) is a species of marten, a small omnivorous mammal primarily inhabiting the forest environments of Russia, from the Ural Mountains throughout Siberia, and northern Mongolia. Its habitat also borders eastern Kazakhstan, China, North Korea and Hokkaidō, Japan.

The stoat or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine, Beringian ermine, or simply just ermine, is a mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern portions of North America. Because of its wide circumpolar distribution, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.The name ermine is used for species in the genus Mustela, especially the stoat, in its pure white winter coat, or the fur thereof.Introduced in the late 19th century into New Zealand to control rabbits, the stoat has had a devastating effect on native bird populations.

A mustelid mammal (Martes zibellina) of northern Eurasia, having soft dark commercially valuable fur.

See ermine.

The pelt or fur of this animal.

The fur of this animal, especially in its brown summer phase.

The similar fur of other species of martens.

, the ermine or short-tailed weasel, a mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.

The color black, especially in heraldry.

The ermine in its summer pelage, when it is reddish brown, but with a black tip to the tail. The name is sometimes applied also to other brown weasels.

Sables Black garments worn in mourning.

The ermine in its brown summer coat with black-tipped tail

A grayish yellowish brown.

A sablefish.

Of a grayish yellowish brown.

Of the color black, as in heraldry or mourning.

Dark; somber.

Of the fur of the sable

(countable) A small carnivorous mammal of the Old World that resembles a weasel, Martes zibellina, from cold regions in Eurasia and the North Pacific islands, valued for its dark brown fur (Wikipedia).

(countable) The marten, especially Martes americana (syn. Mustela americana).

The fur or pelt of the sable or other species of martens; a coat made from this fur.

(countable) An artist's brush made from the fur of the sable (Wikipedia).

(tincture) A black colour on a coat of arms (Wikipedia).

A dark brown colour, resembling the fur of some sables.

Black garments, especially worn in mourning.

The sablefish.

Of the black colour sable.

(tincture): In blazon, of the colour black.

Made of sable fur.

Dark, somber.

Dark-skinned; black.

A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela zibellina) native of the northern latitudes of Europe, Asia, and America, - noted for its fine, soft, and valuable fur.

The fur of the sable.

A mourning garment; a funeral robe; - generally in the plural.

The tincture black; - represented by vertical and horizontal lines crossing each other.

Of the color of the sable's fur; dark; black; - used chiefly in poetry.

To render sable or dark; to drape darkly or in black.

An artist's brush made of sable hair

The expensive dark brown fur of the marten

A very dark black

A scarf (or trimming) made of sable

Marten of northern Asian forests having luxuriant dark brown fur

Dark somewhat brownish black

Yes, stoats change their fur color seasonally, from brown in summer to white in winter, known as ermine.

Stoats have a varied diet that includes insects, rabbits, and other small mammals.

Both species exhibit delayed implantation, with the timing of offspring birth optimized for survival, though stoats' breeding is more influenced by environmental conditions.

Sables inhabit the dense forests of Russia, as well as parts of Japan and Korea.

Stoats are adaptable and can live in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and areas close to human dwellings.

Sable furs are more expensive due to their rich color, density, and smoothness, making them a symbol of luxury and status.

Sable fur is dark and luxurious, highly valued in the fur trade, while stoat fur, known as ermine in its winter coat, is valued for its white color and black tail tip but generally less so than sable fur.

Stoats can be quite aggressive, especially when defending their territory or hunting larger prey.

Sables are nocturnal hunters that primarily target small mammals and birds, using the cover of night.

The fur trade has led to extensive hunting and trapping of both species, with significant impacts on their populations, though conservation efforts have been implemented for sables.