http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/mongoose.htm
Rudyard Kipling's "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" was a mongoose, and the best known species is definitely the Indian mongoose. They are rather small, agile, weasel-like carnivores native to Africa, southern Europe, and Asia.
The mongoose lives near streams, in thickets, hedges, and fields feeding on rats, mice, snakes, lizards, eggs, and insects. The Indian mongoose is renowned for killing cobras, which it is capable of doing due to its very quick movements, thick protective hide, and long, thick hair. One of the largest species was considered a sacred animal in ancient Egypt. It checked the increase of crocodiles in the Nile River by eating their eggs and gained the popular name “Pharaoh’s Mouse.”
Some species of mongoose are kept as pets for vermin protection but are not allowed into Canada or the United States because of their destructiveness.
The mongoose was a great idea. Unfortunately, I can't legally own one.