Why are pythons called constrictors?

Answer 1

baisically, the python will strike at it's prey, then it will squeeze the prey to kill it, (known as constricting) as an alternative to venom.

The python ambushes it's prey, holds it with it's teeth and suffocates the victim with constriction rather then crushing it, after swallowing the prey whole digestion takes many days to several weeks depending on the size of the prey.

General information!
Python Scientific classification.
Kingdom: Animalia.
Phylum: Chordata.
Subphylum: Vertebrata.
Class: Reptilia.
Order: Squamata.
Suborder: Serpentes.
Infraorder: Alethinophidia.
Family: Pythonidae.
Genus: Python.
Species: P. molurus

The (Asiatic) Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) is a member of the Pythonidae family and has and average length of 15 ft. (4.57 m) to 25 ft. (7.62 m) however, it is possible for some to grow near 30 ft. (9.14 m) with a weight of 300lbs. (136.08 kg.), the largest was measured at 33 ft. (10.05 m), they can be located in Southeast Asia and can be found in the various Tropical Rainforest's which covers over 1.9 million sq. km (1.180,605 sq. mi.), a member of the Boa family the female can have as many as 100 eggs at a time (Average is 60 eggs) and the hatchlings are at least 2 ft. (61 cm) in length, life span of the python is 25 to 30 years. Diet consists of small mammals and birds, the larger the python the larger the prey which include pigs, dogs, cats and primates, etc., the python ambushes it's prey, holds it with it's teeth and suffocates the victim with constriction rather then crushing it, after swallowing the prey whole digestion takes many days to several weeks depending on the size of the prey.