Trapping is vital for any zombie apocalypse survivor, especially in Project Zomboid. Capturing wild animals takes patience, skill, and perhaps a bit of luck. But doing so provides sustenance to help combat hunger and starvation. So, here’s what you should know about this skill in this Project Zomboid Trapping Guide.

How to Trap Animals in Project Zomboid

Trapping in Project Zomboid is a skill under the survivalist category. At its core, it allows survivors to catch wild animals to be butchered and used for food. Increasing this skill’s level improves the chances of capturing an animal. Thankfully, using this skill is fairly straightforward. First, you must have a trap and bait. Then, right-click on the ground with those two items in your inventory and place the trap in a valid area. With the trap set, right-click on it to add the bait. Remember, use specific bait to attract a specific animal. Next, wait at least 75 tiles away to prevent scaring nearby animals. Also, the waiting should be at least one in-game hour before returning to the trap. If successful, right-click on the sprung trap to inspect the spoils. Note: Future builds may improve trapping in Project Zomboid.

Project Zomboid Traps: All Crafting Recipes & Requirements

Project Zomboid players must learn the crafting recipe of each trap before making it. Note that all traps, except Mouse Traps, can be crafted by hand. Below is a list of crafting recipes for all traps in Project Zomboid and their requirements:

Mouse Trap

• Crafting Requirements: N/A
• Crafting Ingredients: N/A (not craftable, but can be found in various containers, including closets, counters, and crates)
• Can Catch: Mouse and Rat
• Used in: Farm, Trailer Park, Town, Vegetation, Forest, and Deep Forest biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Mouse and Dead Rat

Cage Trap

• Crafting Requirements: Trapping Lv. 3 and reading The Hunger Magazine Vol. 3
• Crafting Ingredients: 5x Wire
• Can Catch: Squirrel and Rabbit
• Used in: Deep Forest, Forest, Vegetation, Trailer Park, and Town biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Squirrel and Dead Rabbit

Snare Trap

• Crafting Requirements: Trapping Lv. 1 and reading The Hunger Magazine Vol. 1
• Crafting Ingredients: 1x Plank and 2x Twine
• Required Tools: Saw
• Can Catch: Squirrel and Rabbit
• Used in: Deep Forest, Forest, Vegetation, Trailer Park, and Town biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Squirrel and Dead Rabbit

Stick Trap

• Crafting Requirements: Reading the Hunger Magazine Vol. 2
• Crafting Ingredients: 4x Sturdy Stick and 2x Twine
• Can Catch: Small Bird
• Used in: Farm, Town, Vegetation, Trailer Park, Forest, and Deep Forest biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Bird

Trap Box

• Crafting Requirements: Carpentry Lv. 1 and Trapping Lv. 2
• Crafting Ingredients: 4x Plank and 7x Nails
• Required Tools: Saw
• Can Catch: Squirrel and Rabbit
• Used in: Deep Forest, Forest, Vegetation, Trailer Park, and Town biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Squirrel and Dead Rabbit

Trap Crate

• Crafting Requirements: Possess the Park Ranger profession, have the Hunter trait, or read The Hunter Magazine Vol. 2
• Crafting Ingredients: 3x Plank and 5x Nails
• Required Tools: Saw
• Can Catch: Squirrel and Rabbit
• Used in: Deep Forest, Forest, Vegetation, Trailer Park, and Town biomes
• Spoils Acquired: Dead Squirrel and Dead Rabbit

Baits for Trapping in Project Zomboid

Animals in Project Zomboid are attracted to different types of baits. Remember, baits must be either fresh or aged. Fruits and vegetables, in particular, should be fresh. However, animals will leave baits alone if they’re spoiled. Below is a list of the different animals in Project Zomboid that players can trap and the baits they’re attracted to (from lowest to highest attractiveness):

Mouse

• Chocolate
• Tomato
• Peanut Butter
• Processed Cheese
• Cheese

Rat

• Chocolate
• Tomato
• Peanut Butter
• Processed Cheese
• Cheese

Small Bird

• Cereal
• Corn
• Bread
• Bread Slices
• Cockroach
• Cricket
• Grasshopper
• Worm

Squirrel

• Bell Pepper
• Peach
• Instant Popcorn
• Orange
• Peanuts
• Apple
• Lettuce
• Corn
• Peanut Butter
• Cereal

Rabbit

• Banana
• Potato
• Tomato
• Peach
• Apple
• Corn
• Cabbage
• Bell Pepper
• Lettuce
• Carrots