Cephalopagy

Cephalopagy is a term used in some zoological and anthropological discussions to describe the act of consuming the head region of an organism. The word combines the Greek roots kephale or cabeza, meaning head, with phagein, meaning to eat. Because it is not widely standardized, cephalopagy often appears as a descriptive label rather than a formal behavioral category, and its exact scope can vary by author.

In zoological contexts, cephalopagy has been invoked in discussions of feeding sequences where the cranial region is consumed preferentially or where the head remains after other parts have been eaten. It is not a formally defined behavior in most behavioral taxonomies, and researchers may use more specific terms such as predation, scavenging, or targeted feeding depending on the observed pattern.

In archaeology and anthropology, cephalopagy has sometimes appeared in debates about ritual or ceremonial cannibalism focusing on the head. These usages are controversial and far from universal, and many scholars prefer broader terms that do not rely on the label cephalopagy.

Overall, cephalopagy is a cautious, context-dependent descriptor rather than a universally recognized category. The term should be distinguished from autophagy, the cellular process of self-digestion, and from other forms of cannibalism or feeding that may involve the head for unrelated reasons. When encountered in literature, it is advisable to consult the author’s definition to understand the intended meaning.