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The BBC reports that while there has been a myth that the constricting snakes kill their prey by suffocating them, the snakes actually kill their prey by cutting off blood supply to major organs. While the constriction might indeed restrict breathing, incapacitation comes about much more rapidly as the constriction obstructs blood circulation to important organs such as the heart and brain.
Researchers took measurements - including blood pressure and heart activity - from anaesthetised rats gripped by the snakes.
This showed that the lethal grip restricted blood flow severely enough to cut off the blood flow supplying oxygen to its vital organs.
The findings are published in the Journal of Experimental Biology (paywalled link to article added).
This "circulatory arrest", the scientists say, is a much more efficient, rapid and definite way of finishing off prey than expected.
More coverage of these findings is available from phys.org and Discovery.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Subsentient on Thursday July 23 2015, @08:47AM
Still cruel to run such experiments. For what? An interesting factoid? It doesn't even have a medical application.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Jiddu Krishnamurti
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 23 2015, @08:51AM
Now we know the best person to send into a boa infested area is one of those monks with extremely slow and weak heartbeats.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 23 2015, @09:58AM
The Rebel Base is guarded by boa constrictors. Emperor Omaba recruits Those Monks to infiltrate the boa infested area. But as it turns out Those Monks are extreme pacifists who refuse to serve evil Emperor Omaba. Rebels win for a Nude Republic!
(Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Thursday July 23 2015, @11:00AM
Use the horse, Luke. Use the horse.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 23 2015, @12:21PM
Why is it cruel to measure the results whilst feeding an animal? Would it be more cruel to kill all constrictors for it is they that require the act to live.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 23 2015, @12:38PM
Do republicans actually pay you to say things like that with Bernie Sanders in your sig?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 23 2015, @02:02PM
I still dont understand why people think they make good pets. You usually see phony tough guy types and other macho twats with one.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday July 23 2015, @03:44PM
It's very useful to know that my patented Boa seatbelt may kill its user even if they remember to hold their breath at the moment of impact.