Stock Photo - Two ichneumons surmounting a shrine-shaped box for an animal mummy, Late Period–Ptolemaic Period, 664–30 B.C., From Egypt, Cupreous metal, H. 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.); W. 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); D. 13.2 cm (5 3/16 in.), The ichneumon is a rodent, similar to a mongoose, that was associated with the gods Horus of Letopolis and Atum. Sometimes confused with the shrew mouse, which was also dedicated as a statuette, the ichneumon has a shorter snout, thick body, and smaller oval ears; its legs are straight and its tail usually droops down to touch the base below, as shown here