How long does the whitecoat stage last in harp seal pups?

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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.

The whitecoat stage in harp seal pups lasts approximately two weeks. During this period, the pups are characterized by their pure white pelage. As they reach 12 to 14 days of age, they begin to shed their white fur and transition into the graycoat stage.1