It's a flexible alligator. Or a crocodile.

If you're not sure which one to use, I recommendflexi-gator-5.stl.

This is designed to be easy to print. It uses print-in-place hinges, and it's already oriented correctly for printing (on its side, with the tail flat on the bed). It doesn't need supports, and there are no crazy overhang angles. I've also successfully printed this at 50% scale and up to 290% scale (see pictures for these sizes).

This was inspired by a couple of designs that deserve some credit: first, the classic one.Flexi Rex with stronger links., which provided the starting point for the hinge design. TheFlexi AlligatorThe design also gave me the inspiration for a multi-segment alligator. And some credit for the toy-like aesthetic goes to the...Lego alligatorsthat I grew up with.

For size reference: the five-segment gator measures 134.2 mm long, 19 mm wide, and 25 mm tall. Each additional body segment adds 21.8 mm in length.

This is also available onThingiverse.

January 2022 update:I've updated the model to make the hinges stronger and fix a bug that fused the tail for longer gators (thanks to@Teque5Thank you for letting me know about that problem! If you're still having trouble with the hinges breaking, please let me know. You can also try printing with 3 perimeters.

Versions

There are a lot of different STL files here, based on the number of segments in the alligator. They follow the format flexi-gator-.stl.

If you're not sure which one to use, I recommend flexi-gator-5.stl.

I also included some of the absurd versions, like a 3-segment tadpole-like gator, all the way up to a 17-segment monstrosity that looks more like a snake.

In addition, there is a STEP file for the three-segment gator. This contains all types of segments, so you can remix and rearrange them to your heart's content.

I also have a multi-material/multi-color remix that I'll post shortly.

Printing instructions

No supports required! This has been tested with PLA and PETG, but it should print well with pretty much any material.