How Tight Can a Python Squeeze? | VenomousSnake

To truly grasp the extent of a python’s constricting abilities, we must delve into the intricacies of their physiology and hunting techniques. Pythons are renowned for their immense strength and flexibility, which enable them to execute their signature constricting technique with astonishing precision.

When a python constricts its prey, it begins by encircling the victim’s body with its muscular coils. Each coil tightens progressively, applying immense pressure to the prey. With each breath taken by the prey, the python constricts even further, squeezing relentlessly. This continuous constriction gradually impairs the prey’s ability to breathe, causing asphyxiation and eventually leading to its demise.

What sets pythons apart is their unique ability to constrict with a force unparalleled in the animal kingdom. The muscles in their bodies contract powerfully, exerting an incredible amount of pressure on their prey.

It is estimated that pythons can exert forces ranging from 20 to 90 pounds per square inch (PSI) when squeezing their victims. To put this into perspective, that is akin to the pressure exerted by a hydraulic car crusher.

The remarkable flexibility of a python’s body further enhances its constricting prowess. Their ability to stretch and maneuver their bodies allows them to encircle prey of varying sizes, from small rodents to larger mammals. This adaptability grants them an extraordinary advantage when it comes to capturing and subduing their chosen meals.

It is important to note that pythons are not inherently aggressive towards humans. While their constricting abilities are impressive, the vast majority of python species are not venomous and pose little threat to our safety. However, it is always prudent to exercise caution and respect when encountering these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.

Read more: What Do Green Tree Pythons Eat?

How Do Constrictor Pythons Kill?

Constrictor snakes kill their prey through a powerful and effective technique known as constriction. When they encounter their target, they swiftly wrap their muscular bodies around the victim. By exerting strong, relentless pressure, constrictor pythons cut off the prey’s circulation and prevent it from breathing.

As the snake’s coils tighten, the prey’s blood flow is restricted, leading to oxygen deprivation and ultimately causing the prey to lose consciousness. The constrictor python continues to squeeze, ensuring that the prey cannot draw breath, resulting in suffocation.

Constrictor pythons exhibit exceptional control over their constriction, adjusting the pressure as needed to subdue their prey without causing unnecessary harm to themselves. They have a keen sense of the perfect balance between applying sufficient force to overpower the prey and avoiding injuries to their own bodies.

Do Pythons Suffocate Their Prey?

Pythons and other constrictor snakes were once thought to kill through asphyxiation. Scientists assumed that constriction worked by squeezing the air out of the animal’s lungs, essentially suffocating it. It was said that the snake would squeeze more tightly when the animal exhaled, preventing it from taking a breath.

We now know, however, that this theory isn’t true. A study in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that constriction has nothing to do with suffocation. Instead, the act of constriction triggers cardiac arrest, by affecting the prey animal’s blood circulation.

Within a few seconds of being constricted, the animal’s blood pressure begins to drop. This quickly results in bradycardia (a dangerously slow heart rate). Eventually, the circulatory system can’t function as normal. Tissue damage and neural damage swiftly ensues. The heart then stops completely.

To achieve this, a python has to compress the animal strongly enough to interfere with its blood pressure. But what’s more important is the duration of the constriction. The snake must continue squeezing until the animal is dead, for as long as that may take.

How Tight Can a Python Squeeze?

With their muscular bodies and unique hunting strategies, pythons employ a combination of strength and technique to execute their gripping embrace. Coiling their bodies around their prey, they gradually increase the pressure, exerting an astonishing force that can reach up to 90 pounds per square inch (PSI).

Imagine the sheer strength required to match the pressure of a hydraulic car crusher—that is the astonishing power of a python’s squeeze. Their muscular prowess, coupled with their remarkable adaptability, allows them to encircle prey of varying sizes, from small rodents to larger mammals, exerting a relentless grip that leaves no room for escape.

The Method Behind Pythons’ Perfect Squeezing Technique

Coiling and Grasping

Pythons begin their perfect squeezing technique by striking their prey and firmly grasping it with their jaws. This initial step allows them to gain control over the victim.

Formation of Coils

Once the prey is securely held, the python’s muscular body starts to contract and coil around the prey. The snake forms multiple loops or coils, using its powerful muscles to create a firm grip.

Continuous Pressure

As the coils are formed, the python applies continuous pressure, gradually tightening its grip on the prey. This pressure restricts the victim’s movements and disrupts its ability to breathe, leading to suffocation over time.

Adaptability and Control

Throughout the constriction process, pythons exhibit adaptability and control. They adjust the tightness of their coils based on the prey’s struggles, maintaining just enough pressure to immobilize without causing immediate harm. Pythons also utilize their body length to coil around the prey at multiple points simultaneously, ensuring effective trapping and minimizing any chances of escape.

Can a Python Squeeze a Human to Death?

There is only one reason that a python would ever constrict a human: hunger. When hungry, snakes will hunt any animal they can find of an appropriate size. If a snake perceived a human as a viable meal choice, they may attack.

Fortunately, there are very few species of snake large enough to eat humans. Snakes can’t bite their prey into pieces, so they wouldn’t waste time killing an animal that’s too large. A snake would only attempt to kill a human if it was sure it could swallow it.

It’s theoretically possible for any large python to squeeze a human to death. However, the only species that has been proven to hunt and eat humans is the reticulated python.

This mostly happens in hunter-gatherer and farming communities. Most incidents have occurred in the Philippines and Indonesia. There have also been reports of green anacondas eating humans, though none have ever been confirmed.

Do All Snakes Constrict Their Prey?

Constriction is a common method that snakes use to subdue and kill their prey. The majority of snake species are non-venomous constrictors. Only around 600 of over 3,500 known snakes are venomous.

Unlike venomous snakes, constrictors can’t poison their prey. Instead, they catch their prey in their small hooked teeth, and curl their body tightly around it. The animal soon dies, and the snake then swallows it whole.

Even small species, like corn snakes, kill by constriction. However, they’re not very strong. Small constrictor snakes can only handle animals such as mice and songbirds.

Pythons, however, are some of the most powerful constrictors in the world. There are many species in the python family, including ball pythons, which make popular pets. Reticulated pythons and Burmese pythons are two of the biggest extant species of snake (alongside green anacondas). Adults of these species can easily kill huge animals such as pigs and deer.

Pythons and other constrictors will only squeeze an animal to death if they intend on eating it. Constriction takes up a lot of the snake’s energy, so they only do it when necessary. They won’t attack an animal that’s too big for them to swallow.

Explore more: What Do Burmese Pythons Eat?

How Strong Is a Reticulated Python?

Reticulated pythons (retics) are one of the largest snake species in the world. Retics can reach over 26 feet long. The largest reported specimen was 33 feet, though this wasn’t proven.

A study in the Journal of Experimental Biology measured the constriction pressure of 48 reticulated pythons. The maximum pressure recorded by a reticulated python in the study was 7.8 PSI. This means it exerted almost 8 pounds of pressure onto every square inch of its prey’s body.

The researchers found a correlation between the snake’s size and its strength. The larger reticulated pythons squeezed significantly harder than the smaller specimens. Also, the more coils a snake wrapped around its prey, the higher the constriction pressure.

Wild reticulated pythons are strong enough to kill and eat deer, wild pigs, and large primates. They’re also the only snake that’s ever been proven to hunt fully grown humans.

How Strong Is an African Rock Python?

African rock pythons (Python sebae) are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are one of the largest pythons: some adults may exceed 20 feet in length. This means that they can rival Burmese pythons, but don’t grow quite as large as retics.

A study in Biology of the Boas and Pythons tested the strength of African rock pythons. The snake that they studied measured around 6 feet long – a particularly small specimen. It exerted a peak pressure of 25 PSI.

This is a tighter squeeze than any other python that has been measured so far. However, it was not a large study, and only one specimen was examined. Much more research is necessary before we can draw any conclusions.

FAQs

How tight can a python squeeze?

A python can exert an incredibly powerful grip when constricting its prey. While the exact force may vary depending on the python species and individual snake, they are capable of exerting considerable pressure.

Can a python squeeze hard enough to crush bones?

Yes, pythons have the ability to squeeze with enough force to cause serious harm to their prey. In some cases, this can lead to bone fractures or even crushing bones, particularly in smaller or more fragile animals.

Is it possible for a python to squeeze a human to death?

While it is extremely rare for pythons to target humans as prey, large pythons have the potential to pose a threat if they were to constrict a person. However, such incidents are exceptionally uncommon, and human fatalities due to pythons are exceedingly rare.

How Do You Stop a Snake from Constricting?

You may wonder what to do if you find yourself being squeezed by a python, or other constrictors. There are a few different methods you can use to stop a snake from constricting.

Start by unwrapping the snake from your body, beginning with its tail. Grasp the tail gently but firmly, and unwind the snake’s coils one by one. When you get to the head, hold it gently and unhook its teeth.

If the snake still refuses to let go, spray some alcohol into its mouth. For example, you can use pure vodka, hand sanitizer, or rubbing alcohol. It has a bitter taste that is unpleasant to snakes, so the snake is likely to let go. For more information, see how to get a snake to stop constricting.