| Generally constrictors will constrict to cut off blood flow by squeezing. They're strong enough that their prey can't push out of the constriction, and they'll just sit and wait for them to die from lack of blood flow then start eating. Crushing the air out of a mammal is a lot harder, first because it just takes more force to prevent the lungs from expanding, and second because mammals can typically thrash for longer without oxygen than without blood. Breaking any bones would take (usually) considerably more force than even that, bones are pretty strong. They'll wait for death before letting go because snakes are pretty defenseless while eating, since their main (sometimes only) defense is their bite, which they can't use while eating. Constrictors are also pretty good at feeling their prey's pulse while constricting as well, so they're well aware of when it's safe to let go of their prey. Edit: This is to say that it's unlikely that the snake broke GP's arms. |
I thought the trick used by snakes is to prevent the victim from breathing in, not forcing them to breath out (i.e. they don’t need to actively push against the victim’s expanding lung, but just statically prevent it from expanding and then tighten their grip every time the victim breaths out a bit), but apparently I’m wrong. As you say, they put so much pressure on your veins and arteries that you can’t pump blood around anymore (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150722-bo...)