Animal trap

An animal trap comprising:

• an elongated base member,
• a pair of opposed trap jaws each disposed to extend longitudinally of said base member, each of said jaws being pivotally connected at their ends to the base member for relative pivotal movement with respect thereto towards and away from each other between an open and closed position,
• spring means secured to said base member and in engagement with said trap jaws for constantly urging said trap jaws toward said closed position, and
• a jaw release member including a plate portion and having one end thereof pivotally secured to said base member for rotation about an axis which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of and substantially in the plane of said base member, between a first position with said plate portion extending substantially perpendicular to the base member and wherein said release member engages said jaws to restrain said jaws from closing, to a second position outwardly from said base member away from said jaws, said plate portion being of a size such that, when said trap is placed in a burrow, said plate portion, in said first position, will obstruct passage through said burrow and an animal engaging said plate portion will operate said jaw release member with its nose when its body is within the region whereat the jaws will converge.