When animals attack

Contact juggling is a interesting way to attract attention. I don't actively court an audience when practicing in public, but I will play up to passer-bys when they stop to watch (and don't think you can get away by watching from behind - I know you're there!).

Attention can come from unexpected avenues however. I was in the park at the weekend, merrily minding my own business as I practiced my outside elbow stalls (coming along nicely, if somewhat slowly, thank you for asking) when I felt an odd sensation on my leg. A decidedly unfamiliar sensation.

I looked down and saw a squirrel crawling up my jeans. I stared at it. The squirrel stared back. The squirrels in St James's Park are a friendly bunch of rodents for the most part, happily approaching strangers in the hope of obtaining the sort of treats tourists so willingly dispense to scampering squirrels, but I've never known any to pounce someone like this.

Goodness knows what was going through it's furry little mind, but seemed fascinated by my clear acrylic ball. I held the ball out to it, and it crawled up to my thigh, had a quick sniff, then jumped off my leg and scurried off a bit. It didn't move very far away though, and when I began practicing again, it stood up on it's hind legs and watched.

What primal part of a squirrel brain does contact juggling cause to light up in a mass of neural activity? Is it something food related? Does the ball register as water?

Or am I simply so good that even animals stop and stare in awe? :)