As of January 1, 2025, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orca) population was comprised of 73 individuals. J pod has 26 members; K pod has 14; and L pod has 33, including (approximately): J pod has 11 adult females, (1 post-reproductive); 4 juvenile females; 6 adult males; 4 juvenile males; 1 newborn, unknown sex.

Orcas (killer whales) live in closely-knit family groups known as pods with a female whale at the head of the family.

The Southern Resident killer whales are a genetically and culturally distinct population of orcas within the Pacific Northwest and consist of three separate pods: J, K, and L Pods. Like other ecotypes of orcas, the Southern Residents are matriarchal, which means females are the leaders.

Orcas (killer whales) live in closely-knit family groups known as pods with a female whale at the head of the family.

Orca Network’s Langley Whale Center on Whidbey Island, in the Salish Sea, celebrates and shares the lives of gray whales, orcas and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea. How can we learn about whales, and how can we help them? Looking for resources for students, teachers, scientists, advocates?

Orcas are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods (groups of related individuals seen together more than half the time). Individual whales tend to stay in their original pods. Pods typically consist of a few to 20 or more animals.

When you see a resident orca pod, you might be seeing four generations of orcas. There are currently 75 individuals in the population: 34 in L pod, 25 in J pod and 16 in K pod. Southern resident orcas are fish-eaters, and prefer Chinook salmon most of all.

Killer whales are highly social and live in small family groups called pods. Each member of the pod is linked through the mother. There are three pods of Southern Resident killer whales: J Pod, K Pod, and L Pod. Male orcas live for about 30 years on average, while females live about 50.

Orcas (killer whales) live in closely-knit family groups known as pods with a female whale at the head of the family.

Dec 13, 2024 · Killer whales, or orcas, are intensely social marine mammals living in matrilineal family units called pods, which usually consist of two to 15 individuals but can grow larger temporarily for social reasons.