Constriction

Constriction
Diamond Python constricting a Common Ringtail Possum, near Dungog, New South Wales.

Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Although some species of venomous and mildly-venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom.[1] 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.

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

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.[2] This new hypothesis has yet to be confirmed, but data indicates that snakes can exert enough pressure for this mechanism to be plausible.[3] Research into this topic is ongoing. It has been found that the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) has a constriction strength of 6 kg/cm2, which effectively means a total strength of 4000 kg.[4]

Certain groups of snakes have characteristic patterns of constriction, including the number of coils they use and the orientation of the coils.[5]

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.

References

  1. ^ Shine, R.; Schwaner, T. (1985). "Prey Constriction by Venomous Snakes: A Review, and New Data on Australian Species". Copeia 1985 (4): 1067–1071. JSTOR 1445266. 
  2. ^ Hardy, David L. (1994). A re-evaluation of suffocation as the cause of death during constriction by snakes. Herpetological Review 229: 45-47.
  3. ^ Moon, 2000. The mechanics and muscular control of constriction in gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) and a king snake (Lampropeltis getula). Journal of Zoology 252 : 83-98. http://www.ucs.ull.edu/~brm2286/Moon_2000_constriction.pdf
  4. ^ http://ngccommunity.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblogs/explorer/2006/01/super-snake.html
  5. ^ Willard, D. E. (1977). "Constricting Methods of Snakes". Copeia 1977 (2): 379–382. JSTOR 1443922. 



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • constriction — [ kɔ̃striksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1306; lat. constrictio ♦ Didact. 1 ♦ Action de resserrer en pressant tout autour. ⇒ étranglement, resserrement. 2 ♦ Fait de se resserrer (en parlant d un organe circulaire). Constriction des vaisseaux sanguins (⇒… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Constriction — Con*stric tion, n. [L. constrictio: cf. F. constriction.] 1. The act of constricting by means of some inherent power or by movement or change in the thing itself, as distinguished from compression. [1913 Webster] 2. The state of being… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • constriction — constriction. См. перетяжка. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Constriction — (v. lat.), Zusammenziehung, Beschränkung. Daher Constrictiv, so v. w. Constriugirend …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Constriction — Constriction, lat., Zusammenziehung, Beschränkung; constrictiv, constringirend, zusammenziehend. Constrictoren, Schnürmuskeln, in der Anatomie solche Muskeln, welche eine Oeffnung oder einen Kanal des Körpers verengern können …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • constriction — index compulsion (coercion), constraint (restriction), curtailment, decrease, deterrence, deterrent …   Law dictionary

  • constriction — CONSTRICTION. s. f. Terme de Physique. Resserrement des parties d un corps …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • constriction — c.1400, from L. constrictionem (nom. constrictio), noun of action from constrict , pp. stem of constringere compress (see CONSTRAIN (Cf. constrain)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • constriction — [n] blockage binding, choking, compression, constraint, contraction, cramp, impediment, limitation, narrowing, pressure, reduction, restriction, squeezing, stenosis, stricture, tightness; concepts 130,191,219 Ant. opening …   New thesaurus

  • constriction — [kənstrik′shən] n. [ME constriccioun < L constrictio] 1. a constricting or being constricted; contraction or restriction 2. a feeling of tightness or pressure, as in the chest 3. something that constricts 4. a constricted part …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”