The faunal identity of the ancient Egyptian god Seth has formed a topic of scholarly research for the last 150 years, with a considerable number of differing hypotheses proposed. The ongoing discussion and efforts to identify the animal associated with the deity have generally lacked a comprehensive set of methods and showcased two major deficiencies. Firstly, not enough attention has been given to the early iconographical evidence attested to the creature. Secondly, the ethological (i.e. behavioural) traits of the given animal candidates remained predominantly unconsidered. In the aim to recognise the initial animal model of the deity, both components should be involved. The initial iconographical form of the Seth animal should hint at the closest visual animal of reference in nature; this animal should also be considered for possible behavioural analogies with the early character of Seth. On the grounds of this analysis, the study proposes the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as the precursor to the emblematic animal of the deity.