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  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here! grimmy's Avatar
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    constrict

    i know garters usually dont constrict but do they ever in there live im just curious cause my milks constrict

  2. #2
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    Garters are not constrictors. The closest thing I've personally seen to contriction from a garter is when the snake presses a loop of it's body onto a struggling prey animal to subdue it whilst swallowing. No actual constriction in the true sense of the word though. I think Garters lack the nesessary musculature to constrict.
    James.

  3. #3
    Former Moderator Cazador's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    Ya know what? I think that's probably true about 99.9999999% of the time, but I've actually seen a picture of a garter "full-on constricting" a pre-killed mouse. I don't remember if the picture was on this website, or possibly on Yahoo. I'll see if I can find it.

    Rick

  4. #4
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    Really? Are you sure it wasn't just holding it? Surely Garters lack the power (and instinct?) to contrict. I'd like to see picture, I love being proven wrong!!
    James.

  5. #5
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    I've seen some viper species constrict (only arboreal forms) but again this could be interpreted as "holding" rather than constriction. That said, it looked like constriction to me!
    James.

  6. #6
    Former Moderator Cazador's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    I've found the picture, and I'm awaiting permission from the photographer before posting it here. I think you may be as surprised as I was to see such unusual behavior. I just don't know how else to describe the picture. BTW: The photographer is an "adjunct professor in biology" with a PhD, and she described it as "constricting." Hopefully permission will come soon.

    Rick

  7. #7
    Old and wise snake abcat1993's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    When I first got my garter it kept wrapping its tail around me and jumping off hanging by its tail, so it might have the instincts.
    0.1 Jack Russell Terrier
    1.0 T. sirtalis

  8. #8
    Forum Moderator Stefan-A's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    As far as I know, it has been witnessed, but all sources describe it as restraining rather than constricting. So I'm pretty curious myself as to what those garters are actually doing.

  9. #9
    Former Moderator Cazador's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    Fasten your seatbelts, Ladies and Gentlemen. Here's an odd little picture of a T.e. vagrans "constricting" a hopper. It's an aberrant behavior, but those are usually the most interesting .



    P.S. This photo is courtesy of Dr. Lani Lyman-Henley

  10. #10
    Forum Moderator Stefan-A's Avatar
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    Re: constrict

    Quote Originally Posted by Cazador View Post
    It's an aberrant behavior, but those are usually the most interesting .
    Oh if we only could be around for a few hundred thousand years to see how successfull that gene is.

    P.S. This photo is courtesy of Dr. Lani Lyman-Henley
    Remember to thank him.

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