Star Trek

Did Borg only assimilate humanoid species?

Did they assimilate animals or other creatures as well?

Also...If possible could the borg assimilate species 8472?

I've always wondered about this.

We only saw them assimilate humanoid species (for obvious reasons) so as far as canon goes, the Borg only assimilate humanoids.

In one of William Shatner's Kirk books the Borg are shown to have assimilated other types of creatures and it is suggested that they have even created some artificial life forms.

lets ask goggle!

I believe the answer is no, Borg do not assimilate animals, or any beings without technology or that would be undesirable as drones.

correction.

"absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

We only saw them assimilate humanoid species, so as far as canon goes,its possible the Borg can assimilate any type of life.

^^^ I tend to agree with you but I think it highly unlikely for the Borg to assimilate any being not albe to add to the collective. It would have to bring something to the collective.If it can, it's in no matter if it's humanoid or not. Though we have not seen it. I don't think

The Borg were unable to assimilate Species 8472.

They attempted to assimilate Species 8472, which means they must be willing to assimilate non-humanoids. However, I suppose it's possible they were just trying to assimilate their unique biology and not the aliens themselves.

I think they could assimilate any living species, but they prefer to add intelligent species, since they learn whatever that species knew.  I'm not sure if assimilating an animal might lower the hive's intelligence level, although it might enhance their sensory capabilities.

I doubt that assimilating lower species would bring down their intelligence, but it would come down to a question of would they assimilate them.  I seem to recall 7 of 9 commenting that there was a spacefaring species that the Borg didn't want to assimilate.  As for the sensory capabilities, that is an interesting thought.  There are some animals (sharks, for example) that can actually navigate by perceiving the Earth's magnetic fields, although those natural abilities would most likely be secondary to the technological abilities that can do the same things in different ways.

I don't see why they wouldn't assimilate a quadriped species that was intelligent. Really this is just one of those things best not to dwell on too much. There are limits after all, and a reason why all aliens in Star Trek look like humans with funny foreheads.

I agree that if the Borg wanted to assimilate any form of life they could, but the Borg strive for perfection not humanization. They don't assimilate to have family, or to have a pet dog. They do so in order to add to their perfection. A lesser species would be "futile" to assimilate.

I agree that perhaps they could assimilate animal life, I just think they are unlikely to do so. Still, Borg attack dogs could be a ferocious enemy.

[quote]

I don't see why they wouldn't assimilate a quadriped species that was intelligent. Really this is just one of those things best not to dwell on too much. There are limits after all, and a reason why all aliens in Star Trek look like humans with funny foreheads.

[/quote]

Which is why it was nice to see that Species 8472 was more than humanoid with funny facial features.