“I felt like he chose me.”
An Unexpected Encounter: Christian and Bandit
Last month, Christian Torres was busy at his job with a towing company when he made an unlikely new friend—one he had unknowingly carried with him for some time.
The Tiny Stowaway
While securing a vehicle, Torres noticed a small creature darting into one of the holes of his watch band. “When I saw the eyes, I immediately knew it was a jumping spider,” Torres recounted to The Dodo. His first reaction? An endearing, “Aww!” Instead of brushing it off, he decided to let the little spider hang out with him during his workday.
A Day of Companionship
Reassured that his tiny companion was safe, Torres went about his tasks, all the while knowing the little arachnid was nestled comfortably in his watch band. “For another seven hours, he just stood there and didn’t move, always watching me,” Torres said. What began as a chance encounter quickly blossomed into a unique friendship that would change both their lives.
A New Home for Bandit
As soon as his workday ended, Torres took action. He bought an enclosure, some fruit flies for feeding, and even decorations for his new friend. The makeshift “home” that Bandit had created in Torres’ watch was about to receive a significant upgrade. Torres decided to name the spider Bandit, and from that moment on, he found a permanent spot on Torres’ desk.
Growing Together
Since their first meeting, Bandit has thrived under Torres’ care. Although he had never been a spider parent before, Torres embraced the role effortlessly. “I felt like he chose me. It’s been great,” he shared. “He’s curious and just constantly stares at me. We absolutely have a connection that I never would have imagined having with a spider. He’s my buddy for sure.”
A Lasting Bond
The little spider who once resided in Torres’ watch band now has a special place in his heart, and there are no plans to part ways. “Spiders always were eerie to me, but I have no plans to get rid of Bandit,” Torres affirmed. “If I could keep him longer than his lifespan, I absolutely would. I hope our story will help others feel less afraid of spiders.”