page_title: Mousetrap
section_title: Jaw mousetrap
hierarchical_section_title: Mousetrap / Mousetrap types / Jaw mousetrap
caption_attribution_description: English: Mouse trap - "Promax" brand Español: Ratonera de ratones
context_page_description: A mousetrap is a specialized type of animal trap designed primarily to catch and, usually, kill mice. Mousetraps are usually set in an indoor location where there is a suspected infestation of rodents. Larger traps are designed to catch other species of animals, such as rats, squirrels, other small rodents, or other animals.
context_section_description: The trap that is credited as the first patented lethal mousetrap was a set of spring-loaded, cast-iron jaws dubbed "Royal No. 1".  It was patented on 4 November 1879 by James M. Keep of New York, US patent 221,320.  From the patent description, it is clear that this is not the first mousetrap of this type, but the patent is for this simplified, easy-to-manufacture design.  It is the industrial-age development of the deadfall trap, but relying on the force of a wound spring rather than gravity.
  The jaws operated by a coiled spring, and the triggering mechanism is between the jaws, where the bait is held. The trip snaps the jaws shut, killing the rodent.
  Lightweight traps of this style are now constructed from plastic. These traps do not have a powerful snap like other types. They are safer for the fingers of the person setting them than other lethal traps, and can be set with the press on a tab by a single finger or even by foot.
caption: A mouth-type mousetrap.
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