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Black sable ferret

Black sable is a colour classification of the domestic ferret: deep blackish-brown guard hairs over a white or cream undercoat, with a dark mask and dark legs and tail.

It is close to the wild polecat colouring the species was domesticated from, and is distinguished from standard sable by the depth and coolness of the tone.

The classification refers to coat and eye colour only. Behaviour, size, lifespan and care are identical to any other domestic ferret, and colour has no bearing on temperament despite what is sometimes claimed in the trade.

Origin
A colour classification of the domestic ferret
Size
0.7–2 kg; males much larger
Lifespan
6–10 years
Coat
Blackish-brown guard hairs over a pale undercoat, with a mask
Temperament
As any ferret — playful and social
Legal
Restricted or prohibited in some places — check first

Related: Ferret · Albino ferret · Black bear hamster · Black velvet chinchilla · Blaze ferret

3 black sable ferret photos, newest first

  • Bandit, a black sable ferret

    Bandit

    Bandit went into the blanket forty minutes ago. This is the first confirmed sighting since.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Radish 11, a black sable ferret

    Radish 11

    Radish 11 went to collect one bag from the carousel. The lift doors opened and the carrots came out instead.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Radish 11, a black sable ferret

    Radish 11

    Caught Radish 11 mid-yawn, as usual.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a black sable ferret

Colour changes nothing about the husbandry, which is demanding in its own right.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores and need a high-meat, high-fat diet with no grain, fruit or sugary treats — sugar is implicated in insulinoma, which is very common in the species.

They need several hours daily outside the cage in a room that has been genuinely ferret-proofed: they fit through astonishing gaps and swallow rubber and foam, which causes fatal blockages.

Vaccinate against canine distemper, which is nearly always fatal in ferrets. Expect adrenal disease or insulinoma in later life, and find a vet familiar with the species early.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual critters vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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