Proving once again they deserve the deed of conveyance “ most metal of all living animals ” , Boa constrictors know when to stop squeezing around their prey — because they can feel their victim ’s heart stop . The constricting method of quash quarry is a relatively costly one in terms of energy , so it behove snakes to have a go at it as soon as possible when to stop .
As you could see in thisbrutal high - velocity TV , they drop a lot of vigour in the attack , squelch their prey to demise — and up until now , we have n’t understood how the Boa constrictors know when to let go .
This new researchhas notice that the snake can observe the split second of its prey , and will only let go once the trice stops . By using simulate Black Maria in rat cadavers , they were capable to assess how the fire happen , how long they last , and how emphatic they are . The researchers found that as before long after the heart stopped , the snake let go — even in ophidian that had never before captured live quarry .
As an evolutionary trait , it ’s an admirable one because it allow the Boa to successfully hound a variety of species , and be able to hang on long enough to bolt down all of them , but not so long as to waste any energy .
paradigm © Scott Boback
BiologyEvolutionMad BiologyScience
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