Myth 11: Constrictors Asphyxiate Their Prey
New research recorded in The Journal of Experimental Biology has put an end to strangulation theory.
It has long been suspected that boas and pythons choke their victims to death. In reality, they kill by stopping blood flow.
As a result of measuring the effects of constriction on anesthetized rats’ heart rate, blood iron balance, blood gasses, and blood pressure, Dr. Scott Boback and his colleagues were able to conclude as much.
It only takes seconds for a boa to wrap tightly enough around its next meal to completely block circulation.
