Ichneumon (Herpestes), a genus of digitigrade carnivorous quadrupeds of the family Viverridæ, having a much elongated body, small head, sharp muzzle, rounded ears, and short legs. The species, which are pretty numerous, are natives of Africa and the warmer parts of Asia. One, the Andalusian Ichneumon (H. ichneumon, var. Widdringtonii), occurs in the south of Spain. They feed on small quadrupeds, reptiles, eggs, and insects.
Some of them, particularly the Egyptian Ichneumon (H. ichneumon) and the Mangouste, Mongoose, or Mungoose (H. griseus) of India, have been greatly celebrated as destroyers of serpents and other noxious reptiles, many wonderful fables being superadded to the truth on this subject. 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 of rats and other vermin. It is therefore not unfrequently domesticated in Egypt, as the mongoose also is in India. This species is rather smaller, of a lighter colour, and has a pointed tail. Introduced into Jamaica, the mongoose did admirable service in clearing the sugar-cane fields of rats; but became a plague by destroying poultry and harmless animals.