Abstract: A trap for gophers and underground pests includes: a spring; a catapult attached to the spring having an open position and a closed position and a distal end from the spring, the spring rotating the catapult; a snare for the animal having a size that reduces when the snare is pulled; a snare coupling on the distal end of the catapult, attached to the snare so that the catapult pulls on the snare; a suppression lever to releasably hold the catapult open; a footplate to releasably retain the suppression lever; and an actuator to press upon the footplate in the presence of the animal. The actuator presses upon the footplate, which releases the suppression lever, which releases the catapult to transition from the open position to the closed position, which causes the snare coupling to pull on the snare, which reduces the size of the snare, catching the animal.