What is a conibear trap?

Do you know about the conibear trap? I, believe you do. If you know about the foothold traps, snare traps, you know about the conibear trap. Still, don’t remember. They are also called body-grip raps, ring a bell? The animals are finding out new and crafty was to cause trouble for us, so why shouldn’t we also have some ways of even craftier ways to deal with them. They spread diseases in our homes, poop, damage the property.

But should you use conibear traps? Why don’t we give you the details and you decide for yourself, that okay?

How does it work?

Invented by Frank Conibear in 1957 as an alternative to the foothold traps. He wanted to create a swift and small trap that would deal a quick death to its victim, unlike the foothold traps that left its victim in one piece and alive.

The conibear trap, more commonly known as the body-grip trap is made up of two rectangular metal frames. They are attached to a springing mechanism. When they are triggered by an animal putting their feet on the trap, it slams shut with force and crushes the body. This supposedly grants them a “quick death.” Body-grip traps can be used both on land and in water.

What animals does it work on?

The conibear trap is available on the market is different sizes. 5x5 inches size can be used on animals the size of muskrats. 7x7 inches is ideal for opossums and raccoons and animals of about the same size. The 10x10 inches is reserved for the bigger sized beasts like wolves, foxes, and coyotes.

Problems

Reliable how it may look. These body grip traps come with a lot of problems. It does say that it is “instant kill” humane solution, so why is it still in the inhumane list even now? Why was the trap named body-grip trap?

In reality and practical use, body grip traps are not instant kill at all. They do cause serious damage to the animals. But the victim animal is usually found out by the trapper and users after hours or even several days. For it to cause a quick death to the animal, it should have the correct speed, angle and the correct size of the trap. The possibility takes a steep climb down. The animal can be trapped, in anguish and agonizing pain, without any sources of food and water. It dies out of hunger or overtime worsening of the condition. The trap design is indiscriminate. Any animal that enters is done for.

Should I use it?

If you want to deal with these animals properly, you are better off using foothold traps to catch the animal and then decide what to do with it. Body-grip traps are more threat than they’re worth.


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