Unveiling the Dark Side of 5 Star Trek Furry Creatures You Never Expected

Summary

Furry creatures on Star Trek can be more dangerous than they appear. Humans often underestimate them based on their appearance and are surprised by their actions.

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The innocent appearance of tribbles, with their soft fur and calming coos, belies the fact that their rapid breeding makes them a threat to the environment and a cause of conflict between species.

Despite their gentle nature, sehlats are actually dangerous creatures with aggressive tempers. The practice of keeping them as pets on Vulcan is intended to teach children the importance of mastering their own inner instincts.

Throughout the years, the furry inhabitants of Star Trek have proven to be more perilous than appearances would suggest. Some of these dangerous creatures were cherished pets of renowned Starfleet officers like Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn). Others belonged to species that couldn't be tamed but could be observed in sanctuaries dedicated to their well-being and the preservation of their existence. These establishments, often created for educational purposes or operated for profit by Ferengi entrepreneurs, housed creatures that posed a threat.

When these creatures resembled familiar Earth animals, humans in particular had a tendency to underestimate the danger presented by furry beings native to other planets, typically those designated as Class M worlds. They mistakenly believed that these creatures' inherent nature would be similar to what they were accustomed to, only to be taken aback when their actions defied expectations. This stark contrast between initial impressions and actual behavior served as a reminder that even fauna deserved equal respect and understanding as more sentient species. This theme was first explored in Star Trek: The Original Series and has endured throughout the Star Trek universe, including in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

5 Tribbles

Initially, Tribbles may seem innocent with their soft fur and soothing sounds, but their ability to reproduce rapidly poses a significant ecological threat. They multiply at an alarming rate, with one Tribble giving birth to thousands in just a matter of days. Dr. Leonard McCoy, during the infamous Tribble infestation on the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series, noted that these creatures were "born pregnant" and only reproduced after they had been fed. Surprisingly, it appeared that only the Klingons were aware of the inherent danger posed by Tribbles, leading to a mutual animosity between the two species, possibly due to a genetic memory of the destruction caused by Klingon efforts to exterminate them.

However, it is important to note that Tribbles were not always such destructive creatures. Genetic modification played a significant role in their development. In the Star Trek: Short Treks episode titled "The Trouble With Edward," Lt. Edward Larkin believed that Tribbles, with their combination of fur and meat, could be an excellent source of food, if only they reproduced at a faster rate. Larkin conducted experiments in the 2250s to increase their reproductive rate, which proved to be overwhelmingly successful. Unfortunately, these augment Tribbles resulted in Lt. Larkin's own demise, becoming the dominant version of the species.

Further experimentation led to the creation of the formidable "attack Tribble," characterized by its sharp teeth. Luckily, this variant is currently limited to Daystrom Station as of 2401 in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

4 Mugato

Mugato, also referred to as Mugatu, Mugutu, or Gumato, were indigenous to the planet Neural, cohabitating with the humanoid population who recognized their true danger. These ape-like creatures possessed white fur, distinctive horned heads, and spines adorned with spikes. Resembling Earth's gorillas, the mugato boasted a highly carnivorous diet, evident through their sharp teeth, clawed prehensile hands and feet, and venomous bite. During Captain James T. Kirk's visit to Neural, he personally experienced the severity of their bite and had to resort to rudimentary medical treatment.

By the 2380s in Star Trek: Lower Decks, mugato had been classified as an endangered species. They were discovered in the untamed regions of Frylon IV, becoming targets for both Denobulan scientists and Ferengi poachers. The researchers tragically witnessed the ferocity of the mugato, resulting in their demise. However, the Ferengi traders managed to subdue them to trade their valuable horns, ultimately halting their poaching activities after Ensigns Brad Boimler and Samantha Rutherford proposed the idea of a mugato-themed tourist destination, which promised higher profitability.

3 Sehlat

Star Trek's well-known Vulcans, such as Subcommander T'Pol (Jolene Blalock), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Lt. Tuvok (Tim Russ), all chose sehlats as pets. These furry creatures may have seemed gentle, but they were actually more dangerous than they appeared. With their bear-like features, substantial size similar to Earth's wild cats, and imposing six-inch teeth, sehlats clearly descended from predatory animals. To keep their aggressive temperaments in check, consistent regular feeding was necessary, akin to how Vulcans controlled their emotions through ritual and meditation.

The act of keeping sehlats as pets was a fitting metaphor for Vulcan children's journey to maintain control over their own inherently wild inner natures. This bond between child and sehlat was mutually beneficial, with the sehlat being fed and the child gaining the trust and protection of a normally untamed creature. Sehlats were known for their long lifespan and could even remain within families, as exemplified by Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) passing his sehlat, I-Chaya, to his son Spock. Although not capable of sapience, I-Chaya was a cherished companion to Spock and imparted an invaluable life lesson, depicted in Star Trek: The Animated Series season 1, episode 2 "Yesteryear".

2 Targ

Klingon targs were widely present in various aspects of Klingon culture, which made them appear less threatening than they truly were. These creatures closely resembled Earth's wild boars in terms of shape and size, but their distinct features included thick, wiry fur and sharp spines along their backs. Targs were kept as both pets and livestock, often blurring the line between the two roles. Even when domesticated, targs remained formidable, showcasing the same warlike nature as their Klingon owners. They had a tendency for destructive behavior, which might have been fueled by their ultimate fate as food for the Klingons.

According to General Martok from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, his own pet targ possessed a warrior spirit and longed for the untamed freedom of the wilderness. These wild targs were even more perilous than their domestic counterparts. As herd animals, they could easily overpower opponents through their natural instincts, relying on their spikes, hooves, and tusks as weapons. They proved to be far more dangerous than their diluted reputation, influenced by representations like the Toby the Targ holonovels and simple plush toys resembling them.

1 Moopsy

Introducing Moopsy on Star Trek: Lower Decks as the most adorable and dangerous alien yet, it was a small, round creature with a pristine white fur, short legs, and dark, circular eyes. Its name derived from its high-pitched call, which added to its deceiving cuteness. Little was known about Moopsy, including whether it was the sole member of its species or if there were more beyond Narj's Magical Menagerarium. However, having just one verified the true and seemingly contradictory nature of Moopsy as a relentless predator that could dissolve prey's bones before consuming them. Despite this, Moopsy remained adored by many.

In Star Trek: Lower Decks' menagerie, a free-roaming Moopsy posed a genuine hazard to anyone in its path. Unlike other creatures that formed bonds, Moopsies had no interest in companionship. They fed on the liquefied bones of all sorts of creatures, even those seemingly more formidable than themselves. Although their small size and slow movements limited them, Moopsies were capable of launching themselves at victims with frightening leaps, draining their bones within moments. Nevertheless, encountering Moopsy did not necessarily spell impending doom. Its insatiable appetite could be diverted by stray bones or teeth, leading it back into captivity.

Introduced in Star Trek: Lower Decks, Moopsy, a charming and adorable creature, added a comedic touch to the story by masking its true dangerous nature beneath its innocent appearance. Alongside other furry creatures, Moopsy served as a reminder that life is often more intricate than it may seem. Throughout the Star Trek series, there has been a constant encouragement to not judge based on first impressions. It only takes one encounter with a perilous specimen to realize that this lesson applies to both the intelligent species of the galaxy and the diverse fauna it holds.