M-113 Creature

The M-113 Creature is an alien antagonist from the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The Man Trap".

The M-113 Creature, so called because its home planet was M-113, was the last of a species of shape-shifting aliens that survived off of salt, often sucking it out of other living beings. Before the Enterprise visited M-113 in 2266, it had already killed and taken the place of Nancy Crater, an old flame of McCoy's and wife of Professor Robert Crater. Robert Crater was aware that the creature was not his wife, keeping it alive in the form of his wife because he didn't want to kill the last of it's species. He had tried to get a shipment of salt from the Enterprise, but the creature began killing Enterprise crew members and assuming their shape. McCoy eventually shoots and kills the creature, despite it taking the form of Nancy.

The creature is both very strong (it is able to overpower Spock), and smart enough to fool people into thinking that it's human. It appears to have some sort of telepathic powers that allow it to appear trustworthy or appealing to anyone it comes in contact with. It's entire drive seems to be survival by consuming salt, and most likely doesn't see humans as more than a food source.

Another one of its species was seen in the episode "The Squire of Gothos", though this one was already dead, stuffed and on display, and Trelane destroyed it with a phaser.