Ichneumon
a genus of digitigrade carnivorous quadrupeds of the family fa Viverridæ, having a much elongated body, small head, sharp muzzle, rounded ICHNOLOGY ears, and short legs. The species, which are pretty numerous, are natives of Africa and the warmer parts of Asia.
One, the Andalusian ichneumon (Herpestes ichneumon), occurs in the S. of Spain. They feed on small quadrupeds, reptiles, eggs, and insects. Some of them, particularly the Egyptian ichneumon and the mangouste, mongoose, or mungoose of India, have been greatly celebrated as destroyers of serpents.
The Egyptian ichneumon, the ichneumon of the ancients, is larger than a cat, gray, with black paws and muzzle.
It was a sacred animal among the ancient Egyptians. The ichneumon is easily domesticated, and is useful in keeping houses free from rats and other vermin.