Shi ' ido The Shi ' ido were a sentient species of shapeshifters from the planet of Lao - mon . Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole was a Shi ' ido , and used his abilities to infiltrate and monitor other alien species . Biology and appearance . Little was actually known of the biology of the mysterious Shi ' ido . In their natural forms , they were humanoids with pale skin , wide mouths , and deep set eyes . Their entire physiology was extremely pliable , and their skeletons were made of very thin , yet dense , bone . Their tendons were detachable , and could be moved about their body at will . Due to their pliable structure , Shi ' ido were able to mimic nearly any object or being , such as Humans or Rodians . They were also able to drastically increase their mass , and were known to have hidden flesh within their bodies that assisted in such transformations . In addition to this , Shi ' ido were also able to change the texture of their skin to mimic rocks , trees , scales or fur . Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole , a member of the species , claimed to have taken the shape of a Hutt and a Whaladon at different times . It was known , however , that if a Shi ' ido attempted to increase their size in such a manner , they could end up stuck in that form for several weeks to a few months . Unlike Clawdites , Shi ' ido were not limited to taking the form of only humanoid species and did not feel pain or discomfort when they changed shape . Also , Shi ' ido did not immediately revert back to their true form when they were fatigued or incapacitated as Clawdites did . Shi ' ido had very long life spans and could live to be 500 years old , and were considered adults at 61 years of age . Their ability to change shape improved with age , as well as the ease in which they changed forms . Young Shi ' ido could only change the color of their skin and imitate similarly - shaped species , while individuals past the age of 150 could change into any small to large alien species or creature . In order to complete the image that they sought , Shi ' ido also possessed a form of telepathy . They used this ability to project false impressions upon those of other species , allowing them to cover up any inconsistencies with their transformations . This was extremely useful when studying species that identified each other through smell as well as sight , as a Shi ' ido could project the feeling that they had the same exact scent as that particular species . Their telepathy required great concentration , and they would lose control of it if they were distracted . As with their shapeshifting abilities , this telepathy also grew more powerful with age . Society and culture . The Shi ' ido evolved on the planet of Lao - mon , which they called Sh ' shuun , located in the Unknown Regions . Though they possessed a native language , and learned other languages such as Basic very easily , some xenobiologist s were still discussing if there was a written form of Shi ' idese as of 0 BBY . They referred to their natural shapeshifting abilities as " skinshifting " . Shi ' ido were known to be a shy yet curious species . They preferred to avoid confrontations with other species , especially on their homeworld . Despite their secretive nature , some Shi ' ido — especially those of great age — could not resist the urge to travel the galaxy and study other cultures . Though due to their secretive nature and their natural abilities they were known to most as thieves , assassins , and spies , these types of Shi ' ido were actually very rare . The Shi ' ido possessed a democratic government , which decided to remain isolated from any galactic powers . They believed that all their relatives were part of their close family . That is why Mammon Hoole felt that he had to take care of the young Humans Tash and Zak Arranda when their parents died — in reality , Hoole was only related to the children because his brother had married their aunt Beryl . History . The Shi ' ido lived on the planet of Lao - mon , located in the Unknown Regions . Mammon Hoole stated at one point that whenever scout ships arrived on the planet , the Shi ' ido populace would take the forms of rocks or trees to hide , or monstrous animals to scare the colonists away . Their government , a democracy , had decided to remain isolated from galactic affairs , and this decision remained in place at least until the time of the New Republic . Belia Darzu was a Shi ' ido who ventured out into the galaxy and became Dark Lord of the Sith , during the Sictis Wars . She reigned in this position from 1250 to 1230 BBY . Though she was powerful in the ways of the Force , and created monsters known as Technobeast s , she was killed by her fellow Sith Lords , poisoned by the Mecrosa Order . Circa 1000 BBY , the Jedi textbook " " mentioned Shi ' ido within its pages , warning students that using the Force to influence Shi ' ido was a difficult task at best , and not to underestimate them as opponents . In 67 BBY , a Force - sensitive Shi ' ido used his Force abilities to cheat in a string of casinos across the galaxy in order to provide funds for the heavily indebted Kerred Santhe the Second . His Force - sensetivity drew the attention of the Bith would - be Sith Lord Darth Venamis , who marked this Shi ' ido as a potential apprentice . After Venamis ' defeat and incapacitation by Darth Plagueis , the Muun Sith Lord tracked down this Shi ' ido to a casino in Lianna City . Plagueis managed to chase down the Shi ' ido and threatened him into disappearing to a place where neither the Galactic Gaming Commission nor Plagueis would be able to find him . In the year 27 BBY , a group of Shi ' ido mercenaries working for the former Jedi Knight Reess Kairn confronted the bounty hunter Aurra Sing , but all were killed by her . By the time of the Clone Wars , two Shi ' ido were working on the side of the Galactic Republic — Mammon Hoole and Borborygmus Gog . Both worked to counter the biological weapons of the Confederacy of Independent Systems . After the rise of the Galactic Empire , both Shi ' ido remained in their positions , though their divergent beliefs would take them in vastly different directions . Another Shi ' ido , Vandolae , also worked for the New Order , but he was killed by smugglers while impersonating one of their kind .