That's why there was a sign here saying "swim if you like being in stomach"

Admittedly they are dolphins, who are famous for having their breathing hole on top of their heads.
... I'm not sure where that connects internally, so there might be some constriction there that is less obvious.

It doesn't, actually. Their esophagus and trachea are entirely divergent, IIRC.

I thought that, but then again there's the dolphin which supposedly choked to death on an octopus. The literature says the esophagus and trachea are separate, but if that's the case, how does an octopus choke one?

Blocking the gullet completely can be fatal, too. It just takes longer and is more painful. Could also have had the octopus latch on to the blowhole during a struggle - that's apparently happened to Sperm Whales at depth when hunting squid.

"Choking" means something entirely different with cetans, but I doubt whoever wrote it made any such distinctions.

OK, I found that article, but it doesn't seem to go into great detail. It says something about the octopus managing to hold the epiglottis open, but if the trachea and esophagus are entirely anatomically separate that still doesn't make sense, and everywhere else confirms that yes, they're entirely separate..

Another article talks about a modified epiglottis, nicknamed the 'goose beak' which keeps the two separate, but again, i can't.. find details..

Given the anatomy involved could the octopus have partially wrapped the esophagus around the trachea and held the squeeze? They aren't attached but they are still close enough at a point for that to happen if the dolphin's throat muscles were sufficiently weak.

Found this.

Asphyxiation does happen it seems?

Though separate, the structures are still really close to one another so a large object getting stuck in one can press on, displace, and force shut the other.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/a.....l.pone.0066828

So, the question in the picture kinda does have some veracity to it?

I love it when vore drawings lead to an anatomy exchange like this.
Thanks for looking these things up, its genuinely educational. Maybe I can use some of that in my stories.

Someone on Eka's also found this article: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/ocea.....oogle_vignette

What a curious find. I surprised my myrine bio buddy with that one. Thanks :)

This is what I assumed was the case. The mass in the esophagus would push against the trachea because it's very large. Because as far as I knew as well, the two systems are entirely separate.

The streamlined one also has their face pressed right to the slit. Considering dolphins and sex, I doubt they pass uo any opportunity!

I love both methods of prey storage and it is always wonderful to see your oceanic preds.
Thanks for sharing your awesome art with us <3

You and your oceanic preds are always a wonderful sight. 3 One day, if I draw again, I will likely attempt to learn from you and draw more dolphins, orcas, and maybe whales.

That would be amazing.

Kind of reminds me of the back and forth of your other two aquatic preds, the otter and not sure what the other thing was, some kind of mermaid I think. The otter had some problems with a scuba tank and I think they ate some walruses.

To me this looks a lot like "realistic cetacean three chambered stomach but way stretchier" vs "sliding the prey in lengthwise, snake style"

In any case I am always happy to see your man eating dolphins again. They are delightful.

Very nice! The argument is a valid one, but it will quickly be dissolved by the power of rapid dolphin digestion. Their multi-chambered stomach system does not mess around ^^.

I would argue their stomachs do a lot of messing around, but fast. :3

Love how you can tell that's a pretty recent catch <3

the face bulge is the giveaway. 83