trap

Trap is a device or setup designed to catch or immobilize a target, typically an animal or pest, by exploiting a bait, trigger, or concealment. In a broader sense, the term can also refer to an ambush intended to capture a person or to mislead them into danger. Traps are used for wildlife management, pest control, research, and hunting, and range from simple snares to complex mechanical devices.

Animal traps include live-catch cages, snare loops, foothold traps, and pit traps. Some traps are designed to kill quickly, while others aim to immobilize without injury. Glue traps immobilize by adhesive and are controversial due to welfare concerns. Professional users may employ self-resetting traps and monitoring practices to reduce suffering and comply with laws.

Legal and ethical issues: Many jurisdictions regulate trap construction, use, and maintenance to protect non-target species and humans. Trapping is often subject to licensing, seasonal restrictions, and mandatory monitoring, with emphasis on minimizing collateral harm.

Other uses: In music, trap refers to trap music, a subgenre of hip hop that originated in the Southern United States in the 1990s and 2000s, characterized by heavy bass, rapid hi-hats, and dark lyrical themes. In common language, a trap can also be a deceitful setup or ambush. Historically, trapping has been part of subsistence and commerce, notably in fur trading, and modern practice emphasizes humane and regulatory-compliant methods.