A conservationist has captured the extraordinary moment a cannibalistic black-headed python attacked and ate another snake of its own species while it was still alive.

AWC sanctuary manager Nick Stock stumbled upon the strange sight at the Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary in Far North Queensland while checking on the status of a second arson attack on the 165,000-hectare property.

Stock spotted the distinctive head of a black-headed python while walking along the banks of the Archer River, located within the southern boundary of the sanctuary.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that the snake was eating the smaller one.

An Australian conservationist came across a black-headed python eating another black-headed python alive.

The larger python had begun consuming the live python from the tail and was moving towards its head.

“It was a surprise at first, but I feel really lucky to witness such an event,” said Mr Stock.

‘I have previously seen black-headed pythons eating an eastern brown snake and a yellow-spotted monitor; however, this was the first time I saw a black-headed python eating another black-headed python.

‘Fortunately for me, but not so much for the python that was consumed, it took about 15 minutes from when I first witnessed the initial constriction until the python finished its meal and returned to its burrow, which was only 10 feet away.

“This gave me plenty of time to get a camera and document the event,” Stock said.

Cannibalization occasionally occurs between species.

AWC wildlife ecologist Dr Helena Stokes said it was a very rare sight to document.

“Although cannibalism has been witnessed in this species in captivity and reported in the wild, obtaining images or film of such an event in the wild is quite unusual and fortunate,” he said.

The rare cannibalization event occurred at the Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary in Far North Queensland

Black-headed pythons, also known as Aspidites melanocephalus, are found throughout northern Australia and grow to about three metres in length.

Their diet consists of small mammals and other reptiles, which may include skinks, goannas and even venomous snakes.

“Black-headed pythons prefer to eat reptiles over mammals and have been known to eat larger reptiles including goannas and even venomous snakes, so I am not surprised that they would consume another python if the opportunity presents itself,” Dr Stokes explained.

‘By consuming other individuals, they are also reducing competition for resources in the area.