Out of the seven new normal females that I picked up all but one have eatten for me. Two are only taking live small mice and four are taking anything I put in the enclosure (f/t rat pups right now). All are kept in identical enclosures.

The holdout seems very defensive. If I open her enclosure to give some fresh water or clean, she comes out of her hide in a ready to strike position. She has the same reaction when I attempt to feed..out of the hide and ready to bite.

With f/t, she takes strikes at it when it is 'tonged'....and doesn't touch it when left in the enclosure overnight. When live is offered, she strikes at the mouse but but never latchs on and constricts.

I initially thought she was just more easily stressed than the others so her enclosure has been 'blacked out' and 'newpapered' for the last two weeks. Still no luck.

I don't like to worry...so that is not what this is about This just sparked a question.

Will a stressed ball python normally come out of its hide to investigate (or defend itself) when its surroundings are disturbed or is this just some kinda abnormal behavior?