A Carpet snake (Morelia spilota variegata) eating a chicken.

Snakes

Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Although some species of venomouus and mildly-venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom. The snake initially strikes at its prey and holds on, pulling the prey into its coils or, in the case of very large prey, pulling itself onto the prey. The snake will then wrap one or two coils around the prey. For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Predator and Prey redirect here. ...

Contrary to myth, the snake does not crush the prey, or even break its bones. Traditionally, it has been thought that snakes hold tightly enough to prevent the prey from drawing air into its lungs, resulting in death from asphyxia. However, some prey items seem to die faster than would be possible through asphyxia, so it has also been suggested that the pressure of constriction causes a rise in the pressure in the prey's body cavity greater than the heart can counter, resulting in immediate cardiac arrest. This new hypothesis has yet to be confirmed, but data indicates that snakes can exert enough pressure for this mechanism to be plausible. Research into this topic is ongoing. This article is about the skeletal organs. ... Suffocation redirects here, for the band, see Suffocation (band). ...

Certain groups of snakes have characteristic patterns of constriction, including the number of coils they use and the orientation of the coils.

Other meanings

Constriction, the opposite of dilation or dilatation, also refers to vasoconstriction, the narrowing of blood vessels caused by vascular smooth muscle contractions. Dilation in physiological context may mean: pupil dilation (mydriasis) dilation of blood vessels (vasodilation) cervical dilation (or dilation of the cervix) in childbirth Dilation and curettage (surgical dilation) In mathematics: Dilation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Vascular smooth muscle refers to the particular type of smooth muscle found within, and composing the majority of the wall of blood vessels. ...

Constriction can also refer to the act of binding a victim with rope, either as a method of torture or sexual bondage. For other uses, see Torture (disambiguation). ... A model in bondage cuffs with a leg spreader Bondage is a human sexual practice involving being tied up or otherwise restrained for pleasure. ...