I was at Petco getting supplies for a Tarantula (
!!!). The Tarantulas are in the "reptile section", and I noticed that the corn that was being housed a few cages away looked kind of odd. It was very thin and seemed to be laying in an odd position. I picked it up and as soon as it started moving I noticed a kink approximately an inch down from its head. the head and inch of neck before the kink were held at an odd angle, the baby obviously couldn't stretch out straight.
The employee I was talking to told me that the baby would not eat for her. Is it possible for a baby to eat with a kink in its neck like that? She didn't really know much about feeding and asked me what to do. I recommended mice heads and she was quite appalled by the idea. She quickly asked, "Well, what if that doesn't work!". I pointed to the next tank over which housed a kingsnake. My roommates and I told the girl we'd check back later in the week to see how the hatchling was doing.
Do you think this hatchling is a lost cause? She had us move it to the back room with the "sick animals" (which she claimed were actually just over stock..) so it's not for sale anymore. I hope no one moved it back to the display tank. I'm not sure if I even should check back with them. I do care about that little snake though. I don't think it should be in the Petco employee's care, but what can I really do about that?