An animal trap includes a pair of complementary curved jaws rotatably mounted on a frame or base plate, and springs on the frame cooperating with a pair of opposed levers for urging the jaws toward each other from an open position to a closed or animal foot-holding restraining position. A foot pan is located on the frame between the jaws. A trigger release assembly is employed to restrain the jaws in the open position by being engaged between the pan and jaws. When the animal steps on the pan causing it to move axially downward, the trigger-release assembly is activated causing the spring-biased levers to close the jaws about the foot of the animal.