The boa is a non-venomous constrictor that suffocates prey by coiling around it.

constrictor 是由动词 constrict（压缩、收缩）加上名词后缀 -or 构成的名词。constrict 来自拉丁语，由前缀 con-（一起）和 stringere（绑紧）组成。constrictor 指"通过收缩挤压来捕食的动物"，特指蟒蛇这类通过缠绕使猎物窒息的无毒蛇类。