How does delayed implantation affect harp seal pregnancy?
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harp seal
A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.
Delayed implantation, also known as embryonic diapause, plays a critical role in the reproductive cycle of the harp seal. After fertilization, the egg develops into a blastocyst that floats freely within the uterus for four months before it implants in the uterine lining to begin active development.1
This delay effectively extends the total gestation period to 11.5 months. By postponing implantation, the harp seal ensures that the birth of its young is synchronized with the seasonal availability of pack ice, which serves as a vital whelping platform for the pups.1