An animal trap (40) especially suited for trapping rodents such as rats and other small animals, in one embodiment comprising a generally cylindrical or rectangular container (42) having a slotted fixed top surface with a swinging door (46) adapted for limited rotation in one direction about a pair of centrally positioned fulcrum points (48) in response to the animal's weight on the door (46). The door (46) is normally positioned horizontally fully covering the interior of the container. Upon activation of the trap (40) in response to the animal's weight on the trigger side (50) of the door (46), the door rotates to a substantially diagonal position causing the animal to fall or otherwise travel into the container and permitting the door to reset itself for trapping another animal. The trap is preferably configured to cause the animal to have all of its weight on the non-slotted portion of the top (44) before it goes after the bait on the trigger side (50) of the door (46). A suitable ramp (55) may be provided leading up to the non-slotted portion of the top (44) to promote such behavior.