An animal trap having a jaw pivotally mounted to a base that swings between cocked sprung positions. A spring means biases the jaw toward the sprung position. Cooperatively engaged drive and driven gears are mounted on the side of the base. The driven gear is releasably engaged to the jaw when the jaw is in the sprung position. A lever means is provided for the selective engagement with the drive gear. When the lever is engaged to the drive gear and rotated it causes the driven gear to rotate, pivoting the jaw to the cocked position. After the animal is trapped, the lever is engaged with the drive gear permitting the jaw to be pivotally moved to the cocked position and releasing the animal from the trap. An enclosure permits the animal to enter and step on the trigger member to spring the jaw.
