Editing Alligator (section)

== Diet ==
[[File:Alligator_with_large_Florida_Softshell_Turtle_-_Flickr_-_Andrea_Westmoreland.jpg|thumb|Alligator feeding on a [[Florida softshell turtle]]]]
The type of food eaten by alligators depends upon their age and size. When they are young, alligators eat [[fish]], [[Insect|insects]], [[snail]]s, [[crustacean]]s, and [[worm]]s. As they mature, progressively larger prey is taken, including larger fish, such as [[gar]], [[Turtle|turtles]], and various mammals, particularly [[nutria]]s and [[Muskrat|muskrats]],<ref name="Dundee, H. A. 1989" /> as well as birds, [[deer]], and other reptiles.<ref>Wolfe, J. L., D. K. Bradshaw, and R. H. Chabreck. 1987. Alligator feeding habits: New data and a review. Northeast Gulf Science 9: 1–8.</ref><ref>Gabrey, S. W. 2005. Impacts of the coypu removal program on the diet of American alligators (''Alligator mississippiensis'') in south Louisiana. Report to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Orleans.</ref> Their stomachs also often contain [[gastrolith|gizzard stones]]. They will even consume [[carrion]] if they are sufficiently hungry. In some cases, larger alligators are known to ambush dogs, [[Florida panther]]s, and [[Florida black bear|black bears]], making them the [[apex predator]] throughout their distribution. In this role as a top predator, it may determine the abundance of prey species, including turtles and nutrias.<ref>Bondavalli, C., and R. E. Ulanowicz. 1998. Unexpected effects of predators upon their prey: The case of the American alligator. Ecosystems 2: 49–63.</ref><ref name=Keddy2009/> As humans encroach into their habitat, attacks are few but not unknown. Alligators, [[Crocodile attack|unlike the large crocodiles]], do not immediately regard a human upon encounter as prey, but may still attack in self-defense if provoked.