Iknow that US herpers worry a lot about impaction.
Surprisingly, European herpers generally don´t and still have success.
I do breed these guys since quite some time ( I also published a booklet on their captive care)and I never had a case of impaction with neither babies nor adults even though I do use only natural substrates.
And think about Agamainternational: They have great success with this species and of course do keep all specimens on natural substrates.
These, as most lizards, tend to eat dangerous amounts of substrate if they are in a state of mineral deficiency.
If you take care to avoid mineral deficiency, which of course always is advisable, impaction is definitely not an issue.
The lack of appropriate substrate and hides does stress them, bleieve me!
Its just that you do not easuily see they are stressed.
They quickly learn that they do not have a chance to escape out of your sight and then do not react visibly to your presence.
But I guarantee, If you would measure corticosteroid levels, you would see they are significantly stressed.
If they have the choice to hide or stay outside, they still will get used to your presence and soon won´t hide or run away. But its a much much less stressful way to "tame" them.
Its always a difference if you have the choice or not..
They do best and grow up best, if you proviede housing which as closely as possible imitates al necessary aspects of their natural habitate. And besides climate, substrate and hiding opportunities make an important aspect.

Bestregards

Ingo

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