Partner called it a "squirrel hug" but what was it really?

[BobbleheadBabySquirrel]

First off, I want to say THANK YOU for answering my constant stream of questions these last few days!! I've raised mice, kittens, puppies, possums, and various amphibians, but squirrels are a mystery to me. My partner and I were feeding Skinny Benny in a small, enclosed bathroom in an attempt to let her explore us safely, on her own time, without running away. She's definitely MUCH more comfortable with me than she is with him, because I feed her more often. Anyway, she climbed up my sleeve, flattened herself against my shoulder, and started rubbing/nuzzling hard into my shoulder with her cheeks. It kind of looked like when a cat rubs its cheeks on your hand - And she was purring like crazy. My partner and I both looked at each other, surprised, and he said "I think you just got a hug from a squirrel?" Later she did it again when I was petting her. It really does look like a big nuzzly hug. What in the world is she doing? It's so funny and cute!

Also, she's closer to 160 grams now - Is a 20 gram weight gain in a little over 24 hours normal? It seems like a LOT, even for a baby as skinny as she is!

[CritterMom]

It sort of is a hug! Squirrels use their noses and muzzle area the way we use our hands - something needs to be tipped over? Stick your nose under it and flip it! It is a very sensitive spot, too. There is a spot on the lower jaw approx under the eye that when gently stroked, will make them stick the front leg on the side you are rubbing straight out like it is playing "airplane." They love having their muzzles stroked, and there is a salivary gland you may hit that will make them drool!

I believe they regard our hands as "pals" to play with and they hug their friends, too - you will see it if you watch a group of wilds for a while. My normal progression with my squirrel is that he will run over to me, dive into my lap, play hug and wrestle with my hand for a bit, then calm down and just hug it and hold into it with his mouth - gently. Then he will chill totally and nap, still holding onto my hand/friend. I wear soft cotton gloves when we play so he can indulge his natural behaviors without tearing me open.