Counting the Cosmos: How Many Suspected Alien Species Are There?

That's a great follow-up! You are correct that, as of now, there is **no confirmed evidence** of alien life or alien species. However, in science fiction, UFO lore, conspiracy theories, and popular culture, **many “suspected” or “assumed” species** of aliens have been proposed or imagined. Here’s how it breaks down: ### 1. **Mainstream Science** - **Assumed/Speculated species:** Science does not endorse or officially catalog any alien species because none have been discovered or verified. Scientists discuss the possibility of microbial life on Mars or Europa, or the mathematical likelihood (e.g., the Drake Equation) of intelligent life, but **specific species are never proposed**. ### 2. **UFO and Conspiracy Theories** In UFO lore, especially in the realms of conspiracy theories, several types of alien species are “suspected” or “assumed”: - **Greys:** Small, grey-skinned, large black-eyed beings—most commonly reported in abduction accounts. - **Nordics or Pleiadeans:** Tall, human-like, pale-skinned and fair-haired beings, described as benevolent. - **Reptilians:** Shape-shifting reptilian humanoids, often described as sinister. - **Insectoids:** Beings that resemble large insects or praying mantises, appearing sometimes in abduction reports. - **Tall Whites, Lyrans, Sirians, Arcturians:** Other less commonly mentioned species in the “New Age” and UFO contactee literature. There is **no scientific evidence** for any of these. ### 3. **Science Fiction and Pop Culture** In literature, movies, TV, and video games, there are **thousands** of invented alien species—from the Klingons and Vulcans (Star Trek), to the Xenomorphs (Alien), to the countless species in Star Wars and Mass Effect. ### **Summary Table** | Context | Number of Alien Species | Examples | |----------------------------|-------------------------------|------------| | Mainstream Science | 0 (hypothetical only) | None | | UFO/Conspiracy Lore | ~5-10 commonly mentioned | Greys, Reptilians, Nordics, etc. | | Pop Culture and Fiction | Hundreds to thousands | Too many to list! | **In short:** - **Confirmed/Actual aliens:** 0 - **Suspected by enthusiasts or in legends:** ~5–10 main types, dozens more in deeper lore - **Imagined/created in fiction:** Hundreds to thousands If you want descriptions of any of the commonly “assumed” alien species from UFO lore, let me know!