I do not think this should be limited only to large carnivorous reptiles. I keep my hognose snakes pretty much the same way. They have very high basking temps, natural substrates, and humdity gradients within the substrate. We have kept leopard geckos pretty much exactly like we keep varanids with great results.

If Frank did indeed say that in the wild, snakes will consume a lot more food than they are offered in captivity because they "want" (more like need) to grow as fast as possible, I would have to agree with that 100%.