A carnivore classified in the family Mustelidae along with martens and fishers. The sable (Martes zibellina) has a very slender, long, and supple body (see illustration). Coloration varies but is usually dark brown on the back and slightly lighter on the flanks, belly, and head. The winter pelage (the coat, which includes fur plus longer, coarser guard hairs) is long, silky, and luxurious with a particularly strong, thick undercoat; the summer pelage is shorter, coarser, duller, and darker. The legs and tail are dark. The limbs are short and terminate in five toes with semiretractile claws. The soles of the feet are covered with extremely dense, stiff hairs. The bushy tail serves as a balancing rod. The dental formula is I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 4/4, M 1/2 × 2, for a total of 38 teeth. Adult sables have a head and body length of 35–55 cm (14–22 in.), including a tail length of 12–19 cm (5–7 in.). They weigh 0.5–2 kg (1–4 lb).