Variant Loki alligator from Disney+ series based upon real-life emotional support gator in Orlando

Today marks the release of the final episode of the Disney+ series Loki, based upon the Marvel Universe character also known as the God of Mischief.

The series is set in an alternative universe of sorts that features several different versions of Loki know as variants.

Credit: Marvel Studios Credit: Marvel Studios (Credit: Marvel Studios)

One of the variants that’s grabbed the attention and imagination of fans is the alligator variant of Loki, complete with the bendy horns helmet.

Now, thanks to the reporting from Inside The Magic, we now know that while the gator is a part of Marvel comics history, the actual gator used in the Loki series is based upon a real-life emotional support gator from Orlando, named Wally.

While #AlligatorLoki is wholly a creation of @michaelwaldron’s weird mind, we did have a real world visual reference for him. Meet Wally: https://t.co/W012OlwtEU
— Eric Martin (@MrEricMartin) July 9, 2021

Wally the gator was originally rescued from Orlando, Florida, and is now the federally licensed support animal for his owner, Joie Henney. Wally is a five-feet long alligator that lives with Henney and the rest of his reptilian pets. In Henney’s own words, Wally is “far from typical” and “loves cuddling”.