An animal trap apparatus having a collection of individual components is mounted onto a rim of a bucket and comprises a plank having a bait receiving end and a mounting end, with a fulcrum feature therebetween. The fulcrum feature may have a non-circular cross section. A bracket with a notch is received by the rim of the bucket while a receiving feature having an occluded open end is configured to receive the fulcrum feature. In use, the plank is configured to pivot about the fulcrum feature in a forward direction when an animal approaches the bait receiving end thereby placing the animal trap apparatus in a tripped condition whereby the bait receiving extends downwardly toward the closed bottom of the bucket and the animal falls into the cavity. The individual components may be formed of a food-grade material.