Traps

A trap is a device or setup designed to capture, contain, deter, or cause harm to a person or animal, typically activated by a trigger or the target’s action. Traps have been used across history for hunting, defense, and research, and they continue to play roles in agriculture, wildlife management, security, and scientific study. They can range from simple, improvised devices to purpose-built mechanisms designed to increase reliability, selectivity, or containment.

Common trap types include mechanical traps such as snares, pit traps, and cage or live traps, as well as fishing traps like nets and pots. Traps rely on triggering mechanisms, concealment, and a means of capturing or restraining the target. Bait is often used to attract an animal or, in some contexts, an intruder. Design considerations emphasize effectiveness while minimizing harm to non-target species, and many jurisdictions regulate trapping methods to address welfare, safety, and environmental impact.

Ethical and legal concerns are central to trap use. Standards concern humane treatment, risk to non-targets, and safety for bystanders and domestic animals. In contemporary practice, trapping is often conducted under regulations that govern wildlife management, pest control, and security applications. Historical traps include various pit and spring devices used in hunting and warfare, but modern approaches frequently favor non-lethal or carefully controlled methods. See also pest control, wildlife management, and humane trapping practices.