What is a pitfall trap? A pitfall trap is a simple device used to catch small animals - particularly insects and other invertebrates - that spend most of their time on the ground. In its most basic ...

When a small animal — usually an insect — wanders too close, the pitcher functions like a pitfall trap, complete with slippery sides that make it hard for the critter to climb back out.

On an island of southeastern Indonesia, scientists dug a hole in the forest and installed a wildlife trap. A while later, they checked the trap and found an armless creature caught inside. They didn’t ...

For example, pitfall traps, which measure insect activity on the ground, can be yoghurt pots sunk into the soil. The educational possibilities are many, from science fair projects to basic ...