How long is the total gestation period of a harp seal?
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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 total gestation period of a harp seal is 11.5 months.1
This duration is achieved through a process known as delayed implantation. After fertilization, the egg develops into a blastocyst that floats freely within the uterus for four months before implanting in the uterine lining for active development. This biological mechanism effectively postpones the birth of the pup until the time of year when sufficient pack ice is available to serve as a suitable whelping platform.1