Shapeshifter Shapeshifter was a generic and generalized term applied to a lifeform that altered its form to assume various different appearances . The degree of physical transformation varied between different species . Some humanoid shapeshifters assumed a different humanoid shape at the cellular level , while others could shift from non - humanoid to humanoid as well . Some lifeforms had a non - corporeal energy form and could transform into different physical forms . Types of shapeshifters . Humanoid shapeshifters . Suliban s like Sarin and Silik with shapeshifting genetic enhancements had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances . ( ) Human s who were taught how to use cellular metamorphosis had the ability to reshape their body and clothing at the cellular level . Garth of Izar was taught this ability by Antos native s who also possessed it . ( ) The Traveler , the Devidian s , and the quantum singularity lifeform s had the ability to assume various humanoid appearances . ( ) Satarran s also had the ability to appear as other humanoids . ( ) Chameloid s had the ability to change gender and appearance into humanoid forms of various sizes . ( ) Dee ' Ahn ' s species used shapeshifting to appear as different species and other genders . ( ) The DNA thief lifeform also had this ability , but it needed to swap DNA and appearances with the other humanoid it was shifting into . ( ) Non - humanoid shapeshifters . The Wraith and the Vendorian s were both non - humanoid lifeforms that could assume various appearances . While the Wraith used telepathy to search for shapes they turned into from the minds of others , Vendorians obtained this information through touch . They absorbed the memories and personality traits of the individual whose shape they were using . ( ; ) Kelvan s in their natural form had hundreds of tentacle - like limbs . Species 8472 were a non - humanoid tripedal species . Both were biologically capable of assuming various humanoid shapes . ( ; ) Isis had the ability to appear as a cat or a Human female . ( ) The ophidian used by the Devidians could appear as an inanimate object of the same size . ( ) The Changeling s , the majority of whom were the Founder s of the Dominion , were liquid lifeforms in their natural state . They formed telepathic connections with morphogenic enzyme s and changed cellular structures using their morphogenic matrix to appear as various solid lifeforms or even as fire , fog , inanimate objects , flowers , trees , or various small animals . ( ) The Silver Blood were a liquid deuterium lifeform in their natural state and had the ability to change into anything they came into physical contact with , be it biological or technological . ( ) Coalescent organism s had the ability to mimic lifeforms in a similar way . Both mimicked the DNA and memory engram s of those they shifted into . ( ) The Nacene were sporocystian lifeform s of energetic gelatinous liquid in their natural form , and had the ability to shift into various solid humanoid forms . ( ) Armus had a limited ability to shift between a liquid and a solid form . It could also absorb solid lifeforms into its liquid body . ( ) The spaceborne entities and Gomtuu were both conscious and living starships that could change themselves to serve the needs of their crew . While the spaceborne entities changed their shape by transforming from energy to matter , Gomtuu only had an amorphous interior , capable of for example extending furniture and equipment from its walls and floors . ( ) Non - corporeal to physical shapeshifters . Some non - physical lifeforms such as Redjac and the Organian s had the ability to shift between a non - corporeal energy form and a physical form . ( ) Some had the ability to choose from various forms in which they wished to manifest . The , ( ) the aliens who appeared as Rumpelstiltskin and Buck Bokai , ( ) , the Koinonian energy lifeforms , ( ) the Douwd , ( ) , and the FGC 47 lifeform ( ) were among these . They also had the ability to read the minds of others at some level . The creature who called itself God , ( ) and the anaphasic lifeform were less capable of telepathy but could manifest in physical forms to fool other lifeforms . ( ) Allasomorph s were creatures of light in their natural form , but could appear as several humanoid and animal forms . ( ) One non - corporeal lifeform used humanoids to experience various physical forms by making a corporeal subject pregnant and rapidly living through the childhood of the species . Upon death it returned to its non - corporeal state . One such creature made Deanna Troi pregnant and lived a brief physical life as her son Ian Troi in 2365 . ( ) Shapeshifting technology and telepathy . Some lifeforms project their various appearances as telepathic manipulation of the senses of other lifeforms that are perceiving them and never physically change . Talosian s and the M - 113 creature s used telepathy to read the minds of others and to project the illusion of their appearance as different humanoid forms . ( ) Rigelian hypnoid s were simpler non - humanoid lifeforms that also possessed the ability to project the illusion of appearing as other lifeforms . ( ) The unknown aliens who abducted Captain Jean - Luc Picard in 2366 had the ability to replicate and assume different humanoid appearances using advanced transporter technology . ( ) The Ornithoid lifeform s used devices known as a transmuter s to assume larger humanoid and animal shapes . ( ) The Iyaaran s used a small device , worn as a necklace , to assume the appearance of other humanoids and other genders . ( ) 24th century holography could be used to project different clothing , gender , voice and species appearances for humanoids . The impostor posing as Ardra used several pre - programmed shapes in 2367 . ( )