I have always fed my little buddy in the tank. It seems he is adjusted to his feeding schedule. If I feed him early he is always a little hesitant to eat and is not very aggressive. On feeding day he is always watching me move around in my room. On that day he is very aggressive when feeding. I usually only handle him at night to. So he knows at night when his top is opening that he is not gonna get fed. Haven't got bit yet.

Also as for the eating substrate...

One time I was feeding and somehow a piece of Repti-bark was in his mouth with the rat. He swallowed the rat but the bark was still in his mouth. He was tryin to swallow the bark like other food. I couldn't reach to where he was and I just sat helpless and watched him eat it. I was worried, but for no reason. If he can digest bone, I doubt bark is a problem. He has since pooped several times. No troubles.