What is the primary purpose of body-gripping traps?

The primary purpose of body-gripping traps is to grip the body or a body part of mammals, effectively immobilizing them upon capture. These traps are designed to target techniques for trapping specific terrestrial mammals, making them suitable for capturing fur-bearing animals like raccoons, beavers, or muskrats. The mechanism of these traps operates through a strong spring action that closes around the animal, ensuring a quick capture. This functionality is essential for wildlife management practices, including population control, fur harvesting, and relocation efforts.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of these traps. For instance, trapping birds, catching fish, or securing lawns from pests does not involve the characteristics or design inherent in body-gripping traps, which are specifically tailored for larger mammals rather than for the species proposed in those alternatives.