Get to Know the Southern Resident Killer Whales
(Photo: Miles Ritter | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Whenever we encounter a pod of killer whales in Puget Sound we scramble to identify them, remember their names (both their alpha-numeric designations and their fun, colloquial names) and connect all the dots of who the individuals are and how they’re all connected. Generally this involves countless google searches and tabs galore open in our browsers, so to save you (and us) from that search madness we decided to pull all of those resources together to create our own master list of the Southern Resident Killer Whales that travel through the wild waters of our beloved Puget Sound.
We try to update this as new information is learned, and as we have our own encounters with them, but for a great ID guide be sure to become a member of the Center for Whale Research. Membership grants you access to ID guides for both the Bigg’s Killer Whales and the Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Our list of Bigg’s Killer Whales that frequent Puget Sound can be found here.
A note about naming structures for Southern Resident Killer Whales — The Southern Residents consist of three pods, J, K, and L. Southern Residents are given an ID when they’re born that starts with their pod letter and is followed by the next sequential number for that pod.
*These creatures are ever changing, so if you notice something that we’ve missed please let us know in the comments!
Let’s get started!
What Are The Southern Resident Killer Whales?
Here in Washington state we have three subtypes of killer whales (the largest member of the dolphin family), the Southern Resident Killer Whales, Bigg’s Killer Whales, and Offshore Killer Whales. The Southern Residents, also known as SRKWs or simply “The Residents”, were listed as endangered on the Endangered Species Act in 2005 and are some of the most studied ecotypes of killer whales in the world.
In 2019 Lummi Nation held a naming ceremony called a Sna’teng to give the Southern Resident Killer Whales the traditional name Sk’aliCh’elh.
Family Groups: The SRKWs are comprised of three distinct pods — J Pod, K Pod and L Pod — that are close-knit, matriarchal family groups.
Range: The Southern Residents generally inhabit the waters of Northern California to British Columbia. J Pod tends to stick around the Salish Sea in winter while K Pod and L Pod travel to Northern California. Traditionally the summer months have seen them thriving in Puget Sound, with all three pods meeting in a celebratory superpod to reconnect and feast on Chinook salmon.
Diet: The decline of the SRKWs is due in large part to their diet, which consists primarily of fish. Killer whales need to eat around 4% of their body weight every day, which is an astonishing 200-300 pounds. Historically a large part of their diet has been made up of Chinook salmon, which is why the collapsing salmon populations around the Salish Sea are at the forefront of the conservation efforts to save the Southern Residents.
*Bigg’s Killer Whales, on the other hand, have a completely different physiology and have evolved in such a way that their primary food source is marine mammals like seals, sea lions and porpoises. Offshore Killer Whales are known to eat mostly sharks and fish found in the open ocean.
Other Threats: Along with the decline in salmon populations, the Southern Residents spend a lot of time in heavily populated areas that also complicate their way of life. The ever-present noise throughout Puget Sound interferes with their ability to communicate with each other and they also pick up bacteria and diseases from our polluted waterways. A troubling threat to this population is also the declining population number and limited number of pregnancies that are carried to full term and calves that survive. There are a limited number of females in the SRKWs that are still within reproductive ages and their survival depends on successful pregnancies, births and longevity.
Conservation: While the threats are significant and alarming there are a lot of great organizations working hard every day to ensure that these orcas are thriving for years to come. These include Wild Orca, The Center for Whale Research, Orca Network, Whale Scout, Orca Behavior Institute, Cascadia Research Collective and many others.
J Pod
J16 / Slick
J19 / Shachi
J22 / Oreo
J26 / Mike
J27 / Blackberry
J31 / Tsuchi
J35 / Tahlequah
J36 / Alki
J37 / Hy’Shqa
J38 / Cookie
J39 / Mako
J40 / Suttles
J41 / Eclipse
J42 / Echo
J44 / Moby
J45 / Se-Yi-Chn
J46 / Star
J47 / Notch/Looker
J49 / T’ilem I’nges
J51 / Nova
J53 / Kiki
J56 / Tofino
J57 / Phoenix
J58 / Crescent
J59 / Sxwyeqόlh
The J11s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J27/Blackberry — male, born in 1991
J31/Tsuchi — female, born in 1995
J56/Tofino — female, born in 2019
J39/Mako — male, born in 2003
NOTES
J11/Blossom was the mother of J25/Sheekah, J27/Blackberry, J31/Tsuchi, and J39/Mako
A calf washed up on Henry Island in 2008 that is suspected to be the offspring of J11/Blossom and L57/Faith
PAST MEMBERS
J11/Blossom: female, ~1972-2008
J25/Sheekah: male, 1988-1988
Mintaka: female, 2016-2016
GALLERY
The J14s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J37/Hy’Shqa — female, born in 2001
J49/T'ilem I'nges — male, born in 2012
J59/Sxwyeqόlh — female, born in 2022
J40/Suttles — female, born in 2004
J45/Se-Yi-Chn — male, born in 2009
NOTES
The J14s are all named during traditional potlatch ceremonies by the Samish Indian Nation.
Hy’Shqa means “blessing”
Suttles was named after Dr. Wayne Suttles who spent his career working with the Coast Salish
Se-Yi-Chn (pronounced ‘sea-ee-chin’) means “younger one”
T'ilem I'nges (pronounced ‘teelem eenges’) means “singing grandchild”
Sxwyeqόlh (pronounced swee-a-kosh) means "reason for hope child”
J37/Hy-Shqa’s mother was J14/Samish, Samish’s mother was J12/Sissy, and Sissy’s mother was J2/Granny, the legendary SRKW that was estimated to be over 100 years old at the time of her death in 2016
L41/Mega is the father of J37/Hy’Shqa, J40/Suttles, and J45/Se-Yi-Chn
J49/T'ilem I'nges’ father is L79/Skana
PAST MEMBERS
J2/Granny: female, ~1911-2016
J12/Sissy: female, ~1935-1996
J24/Canuck/Eltanin: male, 1970-1974
Canuck was captured in Carr Inlet in 1972 and sold to SeaWorld Orland
J14/Samish: female, 1974-2016
J23/Capricorn: male, 1987-1993
J30/Riptide: male, 1995-2011
J43/Bellatrix: 2007-2007
J55/Betel: 2016-2016
GALLERY
The J16s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J16/Slick — female, born around 1972
J26/Mike — male, born in 1991
J36/Alki — female, born in 1999
J42/Echo — female, born in 2007
NOTES
J16/Slick’s mother was J7/Sucia
There’s some noted inbreeding in the J16s as J26/Mike is the confirmed father of J42/Echo (his sister) and J52/Sonic (his nephew).
J36/Alki is the daughter of L41/Mega
PAST MEMBERS
J7/Sucia: female, ~1939-1983
J3/Merlin: male, ~1953-1995
J33/Keet: male, 1996-2010
J48/Saiph: 2011-2011
J50/Scarlet: female, 2014-2018
J52/Sonic: male, 2015-2017
GALLERY
The J17s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J28/Polaris (deceased)
J46/Star — female, born in 2009
J35/Tahlequah — female, born in 1998
J47/Notch — male, born in 2010
J57/Phoenix — male, born in 2020
J44/Moby — male, born in 2009
J53/Kiki — female, born in 2015
NOTES
There’s noted inbreeding in the J17s. J1/Ruffles is the father of J28/Polaris and is also the father of Polaris’ calf, J46/Star.
J44/Moby and J53/Kiki are both the offspring of L41/Mega
J35/Tahlequah’s 2018 calf, Ti-Tahlequah, died shortly after birth. Tahlequah carried her calf for 1000 miles over 17 days in a “Tour of Grief” that captivated the world.
ID NOTES
There are a lot of little tykes in J Pod that can be a little bit tricky to tell apart, especially as they’re growing and changing. J57/Phoenix is almost always seen with big brother J47/Notch, which is a helpful note for distinguishing him from J56/Tofino, J58/Crescent and J59
PAST MEMBERS
J17/Princess Angeline: female, ~1977-2019
J28/Polaris: female, 1993-2016
2013 calf
J54/Dipper: male, 2015-2016
Ti-Tahlequah: female, 2018
GALLERY
The J19s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J19/Shachi — female, born in 1979
J41/Eclipse — female, born in 2005
J51/Nova — male, born in 2015
J58/Crescent — female, born in 2020
NOTES
J41/Eclipse became the youngest known mother in the SRKWs when she gave birth to J51/Nova at the age of 9
PAST MEMBERS
J29/Rigel: male, 1993-1993
GALLERY
The J22s
CURRENT MEMBERS
J22/Oreo — female, born in 1985
J38/Cookie — male, born in 2003
PAST MEMBERS
J34/Doublestuf: male, 1998-2016
GALLERY
K Pod
K12 / Sequim
K14 / Lea
K16 / Opus
K20 / Spock
K22 / Sekiu
K26 / Lobo
K27 / Deadhead
K33 / Tike
K34 / Cali
K35 / Sonata
K36 / Yoda
K37 / Rainshadow
K38 / Comet
K42 / Kelp
K43 / Saturna
K45 / Prosper/Uhura
The K12s
NOTES
K12/Sequim’s mother was K4/Morgan
There is known inbreeding in the K12s as K33/Tika’s mother, K22/Sekiu, and father, L41/Mega, are half siblings
PAST MEMBERS
K4/Morgan: female, 1933-1999
K41/Vega: 2006-2006
K28/Raven: 1994-2006
K31/Tatoosh: 1999-2005
K39/Corvus: 2006-2006
CURRENT MEMBERS
K12/Sequim — female, born around 1972
K22/Sekiu — female, born in 1987
K33/Tika — male, born in 2001
K37/Rainshadow — male, born in 2003
K43/Saturna — female, born in 2010
GALLERY
The K13s
NOTES
*As of November 2023 K34/Cali hasn’t been seen since in the last three encounters with K Pod. He was last seen by the Center for Whale Research on July 7, 2023
It was assumed that K20/Spock was a male for almost 20 years, until she was spotted in 2004 with her calf, K38/Comet
Known inbreeding in the K13s: K34/Cali’s parents, K13/Skagit and L41/Mega, were half siblings
K27/Deadhead’s father is J1/Ruffles
K44/Ripple’s father is L78/Gaia
After 11 long years K Pod finally has a new calf as of 2022 when K20/Spock welcomed K45 into the crew!
PAST MEMBERS
K13/Skagit: female, 1972-2017
K25/Scoter: male, 1991-2019
K44/Ripple: male, 2011-2022 — Ripple was last seen with his family in April of 2022. A whale matching Ripple was found on the Oregon coast later in 2022 that is presumed to have been him as he wasn’t seen with his family in later encounters.
CURRENT MEMBERS
K20/Spock — female, born in 1986
K38/Comet — male, born in 2004
K45/Prosper/Uhura — female, born in 2022
K27/Deadhead — female, born in 1994
K34/Cali* — male, born in 2001
GALLERY
The K14s
CURRENT MEMBERS
K14/Lea — female, born in 1977
K26/Lobo — male, born in 1993
K36/Yoda — female, born in 2003
K42/Kelp — male, born in 2008
NOTES
K14/Lea and K16/Opus are sisters and their mom was K3/Sounder
K36/Yoda and K42/Kelp’s father in L41/Mega
PAST MEMBERS
K23/Alnair: 1988-1988
K24/Delphinus: 1990-1990
IDENTIFICATION
Right side eye patches
GALLERY
The K16s
NOTES
K16/Opus and K14/Lea are sisters, but are rarely seen traveling together
PAST MEMBERS
K32/Zube: 2000
CURRENT MEMBERS
K16/Opus — female, born in 1985
K35/Sonata — male, born in 2002
IDENTIFICATION
Right Side Eye Patches
GALLERY
L Pod
L22 / Spirit
L25 / Ocean Sun
L54 / Ino
L55 / Nugget
L72 / Racer
L77 / Matia
L82 / Kasatka
L83 / Moonlight
L85 / Mystery
L86 / Surprise
L87 / Onyx
L88 / Wavewalker
L90 / Ballena
L91 / Muncher
L94 / Calypso
L103 / Lapis
L105 / Fluke
L106 / Pooka
L108 / Coho
L109 / Takoda
L110 / Midnight/Flapper
L113 / Cousteau/Molly
L115 / Mystic/Hope
L116 / Finn
L117 / Keta
L118 / Jade
L119 / Joy
L121 / Windsong
L122 / Magic
L123 / Lazuli
L124 / Whistle
L125 / Element
L126 /Ken/Balcomb
L127 / Scuba
The L4s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L4/Sonar (deceased)
L55/Nugget — female, born in 1977
L82/Kasatka — female, born in 1990
L116/Finn — male, born in 2010
L103/Lapis — female, born in 2003
L123/Lazuli — male, born in 2015
L109/Takoda — male, born in 2007
L118/Jade — female, born in 2011
L86/Surprise — female, born in 1991
L106/Pooka — male, born in 2005
L125/Element — female, born in 2021
NOTES
L112/Sooke/Victoria was found on Long Beach in Washington with massive blunt force trauma to the head, presumably from Navy sonar
L103/Lapis and L109/Takoda are the offspring of J1/Ruffles
L118/Jade is the daughter of J26/Mike
PAST MEMBERS
L4/Sonar: female, ~1949-1996
L27/Ophelia: female, 1965-2015
L61/Astral: male, 1973-1996
L62/Cetus: male, 1980-2000
L68/Elwha: male, 1985-1995
L80/Odessa: 1990-1993
L93/Nerka: 1995-1998
L96/Bernard: 1996-1997
L112/Sooke/Victoria: female, 2009-2012
L120/Altair: 2014-2014
GALLERY
The L11s/L12s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L11/Squirty (deceased)
L77/Matia — female, born in 1987
L119/Joy — female, born in 2012
L126/Ken/Balcomb — male, born in 2023
L124/Whistle — female, born in 2018
L94/Calypso — female, born in 1995
L113/Cousteau/Molly — female, born in 2009
L121/Windsong — male, born in 2015
L127/Scuba — female, born in 2023
NOTES
The L94s are frequently seen traveling with the L32s, L28s and L25
L119/Joy/s father is L78/Gaia
PAST MEMBERS
L12/Alexis: female, 1933-2012
L11/Squirty: female, 1957-2000
L10/Okum: male, 1959-1977
L42/Mozart: male, 1973-1994
L41/Mega: male, 1978-2020
L64/Radar: 1985-1985
L114/Capella: 2010-2010
GALLERY
The L22s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L32/Olympia (deceased)
L22/Spirit — female, born in 1971
L87/Onyx — male, born in 1992
L28/Misky (deceased)
L85/Mystery — male, born in 1991
NOTES
L89/Solstice hasn’t been seen since November of 2021
L85/Mystery is the last living member of the L28s
L87/Onyx has been seen traveling with several SRKW pods since his mom, L32/Olympia, died in 2005
PAST MEMBERS
L28/Misky: female, 1949-1994
L75/Panda: female, 1986-1993
L79/Skana: male, 1989-2013
L89/Solstice: male, 1993 - 2022
GALLERY
L25/Ocean Sun — female, estimated to be born around 1925
L25/Ocean Sun is the oldest living Southern Resident Killer Whale, is the last remaining member of the L25s, and is frequently seen with the L11s/L12s. It’s also suspected that L25/Ocean Sun is the mother of Tokitae/Lolita, who was the only SRKW member still in captivity until her sudden death in August of 2023.
The L47s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L47/Marina (deceased)
L83/Moonlight — female, born in 1990
L110/Midnight/Flapper — male, born in 2007
L91/Muncher — female, born in 1995
L122/Magic — male, born in 2015
L115/Mystic/Hope — male, born in 2010
PAST MEMBERS
L47/Marina: female, 1974-2021
L99/Gamma: 2000-2000
L102/Kappa: 2002-2002
L107/Lambda: 2005-2005
L111/Testudo: female, 2008-2008
The L54s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L54/Ino — female, born in 1977
L108/Coho — male, born in 2006
L117/Keta — male, born in 2010
NOTES
The L54s frequently travel with L88/Wavewalker
L108/Coho is the son of J1/Ruffles
L117/Keta is the son of L41/Mega
PAST MEMBERS
L100/Indigo: male, 2001-2014
GALLERY
The L72s
CURRENT MEMBERS
L72/Racer — female, born in 1986
L105/Fluke — male, born in 2004
NOTES
L72/Racer’s mom was L43/Jellyroll
GALLERY
L88/Wavewalker — male, born in 1993
Wavewalker is the last remaining member of the L2 matriline and is usually seen traveling with the L54s
L90/Ballena — female, born in 1993
Ballena is the last remaining member of the L26 matriline and is often seen traveling with the L47s, L55s and L72s
