Types of Animal Traps

Steel Jaw Leghold Traps

• Steel jaw leghold traps, commonly called bear traps, consist of two large jaws that close when the weight of the animal pushes a trigger between them. The jaws close on the animal, preventing the animal from escaping, and almost always resulting in death. These traps are made in many different dimensions from 2-inch jaws to trap large rodents to traps large enough for bears and large cats that can span up to 2 feet.

Padded Leghold Trap

• The padded leghold trap is similar to the steel jaw leghold trap. The difference is a layer of rubber around the edges of the jaws of the trap. This is to cause less damage to the animal after setting off the trap. These are often used by trappers who want to preserve the trapped animal's fur.

Snares

• Snares are designed to catch an animal around either the feet or neck. They are usually made of wire cable and placed in areas where animals crawl under an obstacle. The snare is designed to tighten when pulled on but not release.

Conibear Trap

• This trap has two metal rectangles, opened like jaws, with a trigger on one side. Bait is placed on the trigger to lure the animal's head into the trap. When the trap triggers, the rectangles quickly close together like a large mouse trap, almost always causing death to the trapped animal. These traps are most often used by trappers and pest control professionals. Their sizes range widely from the size of a mouse trap to a couple feet across for bears.

Cage Traps

• A cage trap is a cage with a door at one end. A trigger is either at the base of the door or at the opposite end of the cage with bait placed upon it. When the trigger is hit the door closes behind the animal, trapping it inside. This is one of very few traps used by biologists because it does not often damage the animal. These traps are made in many different dimensions from small rodent-sized traps to traps large enough for bears and large cats.