Constriction

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[edit] Snakes

Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Constrictors do not have venom in their fangs to kill prey; instead, they simply squeeze them to death. 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, typically the prey's chest. Contrary to myth, the snake does not crush the prey, nor does the constriction simply suffocate it. Instead, the pressures exerted on the prey's body result in cardiac arrest. A gopher snake constricting a mouse for example, applies pressures of 6.1-30.9 kPa which range from one half to more than two times the mouse's systolic blood pressure, and are likely more than 10 times larger than its venous pressure. Applying constriction, a snake can kill its prey in seconds, thus avoiding the dangers of prolonged close contact with a possibly dangerous creature, that would be the result of mere suffocation.

[edit] Other meanings

Constriction, the opposite of dilation or dilatation, also refers to vasoconstriction, the narrowing of blood vessels caused by vascular smooth muscle contractions.

Constriction can also refer to the act of binding a victim with rope, either as a method of torture or sexual bondage.