Python hunter Bayo Hernandez prefers his snake ground up like hamburger meat with ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Another hunter fancies the slithering scourge of the Everglades in a stir fry or chili.

Cannibalism in snakes has usually appeared as a footnote rather than a focus. It shows up in old field notebooks, brief case reports, or unexpected moments in captivity. Taken on its own, each record ...