Shapeshifter
Shapeshifter or shape-changer was a generic and generalized term applied to a lifeform that altered its form to assume various different appearances, or shape-shift. 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

Sulibans like Sarin and Silik with shapeshifting genetic enhancements had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances. () Humans 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 natives who also possessed it. () 

The Traveler, the Devidians, and the quantum singularity lifeforms had the ability to assume various humanoid appearances. () Satarrans also had the ability to appear as other humanoids. () 

Chameloids 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 Vendorians 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. (; ) 

Kelvans in their natural form had "a hundred" tentacle-like limbs but were able to "encase" themselves in humanoid "shells". () Species 8472 were a non-humanoid tripedal species but 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 Changelings, the majority of whom were the Founders of the Dominion, were liquid lifeforms in their natural state. They formed telepathic connections with morphogenic enzymes 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 organisms had the ability to mimic lifeforms in a similar way. Both mimicked the DNA and memory engrams of those they shifted into. () The Nacene were sporocystian lifeforms 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 space vessel lifeform and Gomtuu were both conscious and living starships that could change themselves to serve the needs of their crew. While the space vessel lifeforms changed their shape by matter-energy conversion, Gomtuu only had an amorphous interior, capable of for example extending furniture and equipment from its walls and floors. ()

The Dog was an artificially-created dog that had shifting abilities far beyond that of a normal Earth canine.  ()

Non-corporeal to physical shapeshifters

Some non-physical lifeforms such as Redjac and the Organians 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 , , and , (), the  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 , () and the anaphasic lifeform were less capable of telepathy but could manifest in physical forms to fool other lifeforms. () Allasomorphs 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. Talosians and salt vampires used telepathy to read the minds of others and to project the illusion of their appearance as different humanoid forms. () Rigellian hypnoids 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 life forms used devices known as a transmuters to assume larger humanoid and animal shapes. ()

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. ()

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Lifeform classifications