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The unnamed Species, usually refered to as "the Species", are the primary alien-human hybrids featured in the Species film series created by Dennis Feldman. This predatory race, originating from the Magellanic Galaxy, is characterized by its invasive nature, often compared to a cancer. They spread their influence by interbreeding with other species and engaging in various forms of genetic interaction.
Description[]
The Species typically manifests as bipedal humanoids, though one character, Patrick Ross, exhibits two distinct alien forms: a bipedal form for mating and a quadrupedal form for combat.
Regardless of gender, the Species has translucent, chitinous bodies with mandibles and hair-like tentacles. They possess the ability to shapeshift between human and alien forms, and their DNA is highly adaptable and regenerative, enabling them to recover from severe injuries and resist typical attacks that would be fatal to humans.
Most Species seen are human mutations, but a pure form appears in the first film as a blob-like creature with tentacles and a long, mouth-like appendage. This pure form grows rapidly and was destroyed by fire after only a couple of minutes. A similar creature is born from a female astronaut infected with the alien DNA in Species II, though it may not have achieved a humanoid form due to incomplete adaptation of the DNA.
In the novelization of Species, the "pure" creature was described as a hybrid of alien and bat DNA, intended to ensure it used its natural form rather than relying on camouflage.
Males[]
In Species II, American astronaut Patrick Ross, infected with alien DNA on Mars, transforms into a human-alien hybrid. He goes on to impregnate human females, who die shortly after childbirth. Patrick uses a tongue-like tentacle to attack victims. Towards the end of the film, he displays a dual-headed form.
In Species III, another male, Yosef, has an extendable, tentacle-like penis, which he uses in attempts to impregnate or kill Sara. This suggests that the males can impregnate females via oral intercourse.
Females[]
The females of the Species have their wombs located in their chests. In their alien form, the mouth is connected to the womb, allowing for oral impregnation. They can also become pregnant like humans in alien form, with the chest opening to give birth. In human form, the womb becomes visible through the skin, showing the fetus's rapid growth before it bursts out.
Females are the most prominent and dangerous of the Species. They often kill other females who pose obstacles and may also kill males with genetic imperfections. After mating and becoming pregnant, they typically kill the male partner, though it is unclear if this is a general trait or specific to human mates. Pregnancy is extremely brief, lasting only minutes to a few hours.
Half-Breeds[]
Half-breeds, offspring of a Species member and a human, grow rapidly in the womb and emerge forcibly when developed. They require a cocoon to reach maturity and have a strong mating instinct. Some half-breeds suffer from weak immune systems and short lifespans, as seen with Patrick’s children in Species III. In contrast, Eve's daughter Sara appears disease-free and may live for centuries.
Other half-breeds include Sil’s son and Miranda Hollander’s unborn child, though their fates are less clear.
Powers and Abilities[]
Both male and female members of the Species have skeletal bodies with relatively small heads compared to their body size. Their mouths feature two hair-like mandibles and tentacle-like strands. Both genders can shapeshift between human and alien forms, typically doing so while unclothed, and they can also adapt their alien forms to suit different situations. Females usually have tentacle-like appendages on their chests and can manipulate their "hair," as well as deploy retractable spikes in combat. Males have a long tentacle they can extend for killing or impregnation. However, the social structure of the Species remains unclear as no large population has been observed in the films to determine if it is patriarchal or matriarchal.
A notable mutation example is "Sil." She developed from a fetus to a young girl approaching puberty within a matter of months. Sil demonstrated impressive speed and strength but was plagued by distressing nightmares linked to her alien DNA, which she believed revealed her true identity.
While fleeing, Sil undergoes pupation, forming a maroon-colored cocoon, which causes her considerable pain. After several hours, she emerges as a fully-grown adult. At the end of this process, Sil is found naked, possibly because her clothes were destroyed by the cocoon or removed during the transformation.
Though initially cautious, Sil quickly adapts to her environment, showing remarkable cunning and blending into society. Her alien libido drives her to seek out mates while in a constant state of fertility. During this time, she exhibits a strong survival instinct, regenerative abilities, and can detect genetic imperfections in potential partners. She is also willing to kill without hesitation if she feels threatened.
In her alien form, Sil’s body is chitinous and reptilian, with slicked-back tentacles replacing her hair and sharp teeth. Her breasts do not contain fat or mammary glands but instead house tentacles that emerge from her nipples, serving as both a weapon and part of her mating ritual, as seen in the second film. This form also has the capability to hold its breath underwater for extended periods.
Sil's son, born less than an hour after conception, displays different traits, growing at an astonishing rate. His limbs and spine develop so rapidly that his skin struggles to keep up.
History[]
In Species II, Professor Herman Cromwell, portrayed by Peter Boyle, states that the original Species originated in the Large Magellanic Cloud (also known as the Magellanic Galaxy), which is one of the few places in the universe where carbon-based life has been found. Cromwell describes the Species as a "cancerous" race that visited Mars millions of years ago when its conditions were similar to Earth's. They exterminated all life on Mars and left a trace of their DNA in the soil to ensure their species could spread to other planets through genetic infection.
Humanity first encountered this alien species in 1994 when the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project received two messages from space. The first message offered a more efficient method for using methane, while the second contained a DNA sequence and instructions for combining it with human DNA. Viewing the first message as friendly, scientists proceeded with the fusion. Initially, seven hybrids were created, but only three survived, with two being preserved in liquid nitrogen and the third, a female known as "Sil," allowed to develop. Sil's lineage continued across multiple films: Species, Species II, Species III, and Species: The Awakening.
Trivia[]
- Sil was designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger, known for creating the Xenomorphs featured in the Alien films. Xenomorphs are shown reaching maturity inside a large cocoon attached to a wall in Alien: Romulus. This process is strikingly similar to the maturation of hybrids in the Species film series.[1][2]
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