They eat dirt when they eat in the wild I'm sure. So them possibly eating some substrate ( which is definitely cleaner than wild dirt) is not a big deal. Two of the ones we have eat butt first with mouths full of substrate guaranteed Everytime. They r silly. I would just just start feeding every 10 days and then 11 then working back to two weeks or so. That should help with him not feeling "starving " lol
My 5 year old has one in his room , always fed it in the enclosure. He takes it out daily after 48 hrs of eating of course. He's never been bitten or even hissed it.


Good luck !