i put some rose leaves inside the enclosure but she hasnt moved. the body isnt stiff and i had her all day so she isnt dead yet since theres no rigor mortis. how do they eat leaves exactly? do they chew the leaves like a caterpillar or do they suck the sap out of the leaves?
She should have moved by herself overnight, and would seem like she sadly does have internal damage. The only option that may help is to lay the rose branch flat in the container and place her over the leaves, so if she can she will be able to eat.
Walking sticks have to eat to get their hydration/water, they will not drink water directly (none that I have kept). Depending on the room humidity, she may be fine for a few days to maybe a week without eating, but after that she would like suffer from desiccation/extreme dehydration.
They eat leaves just like a caterpillar, and the leaves will have little partial circles ate out of it - that is unless you have several and they can strip a 6" branch of rose leaves in about a day or less (depending on the number of them, instar, and perhaps species). The only downside is even if you cut small 6" branches or so, and place them into a small container of water (I use two ounce containers with lids, with a cut in the lid like a fountain cup lid and the branch pushed into that like a straw), the branches/leaves will dry out in just a few days time depending on room humidity.
The best way to check the dryness is to squeeze a leaf to see if it bone dry, or still soft, as any dried leaves/branches need to be removed as dried ones will go uneaten - or if they are forced to eat it (if it is the only food source) that will cause the walking sticks to dehydrate and become constipated (which tends to be fatal).
