Trap for catching animals, in particular mice or rats

A trap for catching animals, in particular mice or rats, comprising:

• a frame,
• a catching element for catching an animal,
• a spring which is present between the frame and the catching element and exerts a force on the catching element, said spring is tensioned when the catching element is in a standby position in which it is ready to catch the animal, and is partly relaxed if the catching element is present in an activated position in which the animal could be caught,
• a blocking pawl which is movable between a blocking position in which it holds the catching element in the standby position and a release position in which it has released the catching element,
• an activating element which is movably connected to the frame and when activated brings the blocking pawl from the blocking position to the release position,
• a first sensor which determines whether the catching element is present in the standby or activated position, and
• a second sensor which determines whether the animal is caught or not, said second sensor being present between the frame and the activating element and delivers a signal in the presence of the animal between the catching element and the activating element,
• wherein the catching element presses the animal onto the activating element and thereby moves the activating element such that it activates the second sensor, and wherein in the absence of the animal between the catching element and the activating element, the catching element presses against a spacer cam present on the frame, in which position the activating element does not activate the second sensor.