The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between temperament a
nd reproductive success in farmed sable (Martes zibellina). Experimental ma
terial comprised altogether 58 males and 236 females. Temperament was measu
red by using a stick test. About 85% of matings occurred in July. Most whel
pings were in April. Over 80% of young and old males were classified as cur
ious. Number of fearful and aggressive males was small. Among females, the
amount of curious animals was much lower compared to males. Every third fem
ale was fearful. Temperament did not affect length of the gestation period
which averaged 268 +/- 14 days. Gestation period was longest for early bree
ding females (r = -0.629-, P < 0.001). Aggressive females tended to be less
willing to mate than fearful or curious ones. Whelping started latest in a
ggressive females. Whelping result was poorer in aggressive (0.2 +/- 0.2 ki
ts per breeding female; 2.5 +/- 0.5 kits per whelped female) than in curiou
s 1.2 +/- 0.2; 3.1 +/- 0.2) and fearful females (1.0 +/- 0.3; 3.5 +/- 0.4).
Percentage of whelped females was lowest (7.7%) and kit losses highest (28
.6%) for aggressive females.