if you saw the snake at Petco was not in a hide, and you noticed it didn't move much and you noticed it didn't flick its tongue much, you probably should have kept your money and looked elsewhere.
I doubt it's anything specific that you did, the snake was probably already a goner, you just happened to be the unlucky patron that walked off with it.
For future reference: When purchasing a baby corn snake, the tongue should be flicking almost non stop while you are handling. Most baby snakes are a bit nervous and flighty, so it should squirm and move a lot too while handling. Its nose and mouth should be clean and free of mucous, no wheezing or coughing, and you should ask the store (or dealer, breeder, etc....) for feeding records, shed records, and medical reports. If they can't or won't provide this info, move on.
Fortunately, corn snakes for the most part are "Cheap" and you can easily find another one if you wish. But do some research first, you don't have to buy the first thing you see.
Optimum temps should be 82 to 88 on the warm end (this temp should be measured inside the warm hiding spot). On the cool end, room temps are ok, just try not to let them drop below 70. (74 would be better).
Heat lamps are generally frowned on, although some people use them successfully.
Even if your temps were not ideal, the snake should not have died in 12 hours. That's why I say there was probably something else going on.
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