The Difference between a Gravity trap and a Spring Loaded trap.
We feel the most important things about trapping any animal is the safety of yourself and the animal. Please choose your trap to fit those needs.
Gravity traps are free of springs. Gravity acts as the force between the trigger and trap door falling into place. Once the trap door is down, o-rings or other methods are used to keep the trap door in place so the captured animal cannot escape. This type of trap is the most widely utilized in professional trapping. We have learned it’s very useful to most to keep something on hand to hold the trap door down as you transfer the animal from location to location. Many customers will use the same type of clip that can be found at the end of a dog leash, a snap clip or a carabiner clip. This secures the trap door to the frame in the incident the trap accidently gets rolled, the animal cannot escape. Remember to use gloves when doing this to protect your hands of scratches and bites.
We sincerely feel that gravity traps are the most humane animal trap as the door is not “forced down” by a spring. If the gravity door lands on a kitten who may have followed the mom cat into the trap, the gravity door cannot hurt the kitten. Depending on where the door lights, the kitten can elect to go into the trap or back out. This is important for TNR rescue work for cats. The gravity traps, especially Tru-Catch, are quiet closing traps that do not traumatize the animal being caught or those who may be watching the trapping procedure. Many rescue groups re-trap the same cats for shots, wound care, etc. Most gravity traps can be rolled over onto their tops in case the animal caught is not what was intended, especially skunks. There’s no need to put your hands near the trap, a broom stick can be used to roll the trap and most animals run away, remember they are more scared of you than you are of them. But always take caution when trapping and releasing. Use gloves and stand elevated from the trap (a truck bed or trunk works great), if possible, to roll the trap. Rabies will cause an animal to turn and charge you. If you suspect rabies, DO NOT release the animal. Call your local animal control, have them come to you. Do not approach the trap.
The spring loaded traps are designed in a fashion where a spring forces the door down when the animal steps on the trigger. The door is then locked into place. We recognize there is a chance of harm in respects to the animal being trapped and possibly to a young animal standing in the doorway when the trap door comes down. With that in mind, spring load traps are still very popular traps, especially if the trapper does not want to worry about the animal getting away if trap should roll. They are louder than gravity traps due to the door being forced down with springs. For those trapping cats and kittens for TNR, the spring load are less likely to be used. It can traumatize the cats trapped and those watching. They are great for raccoons, armadillos, skunk, porcupines, woodchuck, etc., those animals who tend to be trapped alone and who only need a one-time trapping. Always use gloves to release the trap door to avoid any scratches or bites from animals. The spring loaded traps we carry are not powder coated, they are galvanized wire. Be sure to check trap for any sharp wires that may harm a trapper or animal and and file to smooth. This is important because trapped animals will try to get out. When they cannot, they will become frightened and can harm themselves on anything sharp in the trap. Use gloves when carrying and using bare wire traps so you don’t suffer any scratches or cuts.
Most of the traps we carry have a rear door available, which we highly recommend. The rear door stays closed for trapping, it makes baiting and transferring animals easier.
If you have any questions regarding the traps, you may call us for information. Make an educated choice of traps, we hope you will be happy with the outcome of your trapping experience.
Gravity traps are free of springs. Gravity acts as the force between the trigger and trap door falling into place. Once the trap door is down, o-rings or other methods are used to keep the trap door in place so the captured animal cannot escape. This type of trap is the most widely utilized in professional trapping. We have learned it’s very useful to most to keep something on hand to hold the trap door down as you transfer the animal from location to location. Many customers will use the same type of clip that can be found at the end of a dog leash, a snap clip or a carabiner clip. This secures the trap door to the frame in the incident the trap accidently gets rolled, the animal cannot escape. Remember to use gloves when doing this to protect your hands of scratches and bites.
We sincerely feel that gravity traps are the most humane animal trap as the door is not “forced down” by a spring. If the gravity door lands on a kitten who may have followed the mom cat into the trap, the gravity door cannot hurt the kitten. Depending on where the door lights, the kitten can elect to go into the trap or back out. This is important for TNR rescue work for cats. The gravity traps, especially Tru-Catch, are quiet closing traps that do not traumatize the animal being caught or those who may be watching the trapping procedure. Many rescue groups re-trap the same cats for shots, wound care, etc. Most gravity traps can be rolled over onto their tops in case the animal caught is not what was intended, especially skunks. There’s no need to put your hands near the trap, a broom stick can be used to roll the trap and most animals run away, remember they are more scared of you than you are of them. But always take caution when trapping and releasing. Use gloves and stand elevated from the trap (a truck bed or trunk works great), if possible, to roll the trap. Rabies will cause an animal to turn and charge you. If you suspect rabies, DO NOT release the animal. Call your local animal control, have them come to you. Do not approach the trap.
The spring loaded traps are designed in a fashion where a spring forces the door down when the animal steps on the trigger. The door is then locked into place. We recognize there is a chance of harm in respects to the animal being trapped and possibly to a young animal standing in the doorway when the trap door comes down. With that in mind, spring load traps are still very popular traps, especially if the trapper does not want to worry about the animal getting away if trap should roll. They are louder than gravity traps due to the door being forced down with springs. For those trapping cats and kittens for TNR, the spring load are less likely to be used. It can traumatize the cats trapped and those watching. They are great for raccoons, armadillos, skunk, porcupines, woodchuck, etc., those animals who tend to be trapped alone and who only need a one-time trapping. Always use gloves to release the trap door to avoid any scratches or bites from animals. The spring loaded traps we carry are not powder coated, they are galvanized wire. Be sure to check trap for any sharp wires that may harm a trapper or animal and and file to smooth. This is important because trapped animals will try to get out. When they cannot, they will become frightened and can harm themselves on anything sharp in the trap. Use gloves when carrying and using bare wire traps so you don’t suffer any scratches or cuts.
Most of the traps we carry have a rear door available, which we highly recommend. The rear door stays closed for trapping, it makes baiting and transferring animals easier.
If you have any questions regarding the traps, you may call us for information. Make an educated choice of traps, we hope you will be happy with the outcome of your trapping experience.
