Whitecoat

Blanchon-idlm2006

Whitecoat refers to the very young, newborn seals that are characterized by their white fur. This term is most commonly associated with the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) pups, which are born with a thick, white fur coat. This white fur, or lanugo, serves as insulation to keep the pups warm in their icy, Arctic habitat until they develop a layer of blubber. The whitecoat stage lasts approximately two to three weeks after birth, during which the pups are entirely dependent on their mothers for nourishment.

Biology and Behavior

Harp seal pups are born on the ice floes of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans during the late winter and early spring. At birth, they weigh around 11 to 12 kilograms (24 to 26 lb) and are about 80 to 85 centimeters (31 to 33 in) long. Their white fur not only provides camouflage against the snow and ice but also helps to absorb sunlight, an essential feature for maintaining body heat in the harsh Arctic environment.

The mother's milk, which is extremely rich in fat, enables the whitecoat to rapidly gain weight and develop a layer of blubber. This blubber is crucial for insulation and energy reserves once the pup starts to swim and catch its own food. After about 12 to 18 days, the pup's white fur is shed, and a waterproof, silvery-grey coat, typical of adult harp seals, grows in.

Conservation and Controversy

The term "whitecoat" also brings to mind the historical and ongoing controversy surrounding the commercial seal hunt in Canada and other parts of the world. Whitecoats were once the primary target of these hunts due to the high value of their pelts. However, since the mid-1980s, the hunting of whitecoat harp seals has been banned in Canada, a move that came after intense campaigns by animal rights groups and widespread public outcry against the practice.

Despite the ban on hunting whitecoats, the seal hunt continues to be a subject of international debate. Proponents argue that it is a sustainable and necessary economic activity for remote communities, while opponents criticize it for animal welfare concerns and question its sustainability and impact on seal populations.

In Culture

The image of the whitecoat seal has been a powerful symbol in campaigns for animal rights and environmental conservation. It has been used to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems and species.

See Also

• Seal (animal)
• Harp seal
• Seal hunting
• Animal rights
• Conservation biology