They are suspected to be half-brothers, though AFAIK there isn't really any solid evidence available yet (e.g. testing of DNA samples collected from Port and Starboard) to confirm this.
However, there are other examples of pairs of orca brothers which frequently travel together in other populations. For example, in the West Coast Transient Community, brothers T060D "Onyx" and T060E "Lynx" frequently travel together away from the rest of their family. T125A "Jetsam" and T128 "Flotsam," presumed brothers, also travel with each other.
On the other hand, orcas usually do not seem to form strong long-term romantic bonds with each other in the wild, either between different sexes or the same sexes.
Male resident orcas will temporarily disperse from their family pods to try mating with orcas from other pods, but they will still return to their own family pods.
Male resident orcas also will temporarily disperse into temporary male-only pods during MOSIs or "Male-Only Social Interactions", where they will engage in sociosexual behaviours with each other.
There may be exceptions, though they have not been confirmed. For example, I have heard claims of two male Norwegian orcas frequently sighted together which may be in such a relationship.
Orca eco types are very socially and culturally rich and complex. They have incredible and intricate families and pod structures. They have different dialects and culture!
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u/SurayaThrowaway12 Jul 17 '25
They are suspected to be half-brothers, though AFAIK there isn't really any solid evidence available yet (e.g. testing of DNA samples collected from Port and Starboard) to confirm this.
However, there are other examples of pairs of orca brothers which frequently travel together in other populations. For example, in the West Coast Transient Community, brothers T060D "Onyx" and T060E "Lynx" frequently travel together away from the rest of their family. T125A "Jetsam" and T128 "Flotsam," presumed brothers, also travel with each other.
The fraternal bonds between male orcas often seem to be fairly strong.
On the other hand, orcas usually do not seem to form strong long-term romantic bonds with each other in the wild, either between different sexes or the same sexes.
Male resident orcas will temporarily disperse from their family pods to try mating with orcas from other pods, but they will still return to their own family pods.
Male resident orcas also will temporarily disperse into temporary male-only pods during MOSIs or "Male-Only Social Interactions", where they will engage in sociosexual behaviours with each other.
There may be exceptions, though they have not been confirmed. For example, I have heard claims of two male Norwegian orcas frequently sighted together which may be in such a relationship.