A pack animal, also known as a sumpter animal or beast of burden, is a working animal used to transport goods or materials by carrying them, usually on its back. Domestic animals of many species are used in this way, among them alpacas, Bactrian camels, donkeys, dromedaries, gayal, goats, horses, llamas, mules, reindeer, water buffaloes and yaks.

Diversity

Traditional pack animals include ungulates such as camels, the domestic yak, reindeer, goats, water buffaloes, and llama, and domesticated members of the horse family including horses, donkeys, and mules. Occasionally, dogs can be used to carry small loads.

Pack animals by region

Uses

Hauling of goods in wagons with horses and oxen gradually displaced the use of packhorses, which had been important until the Middle Ages, by the sixteenth century. Pack animals may be fitted with pack saddles and may also carry saddlebags. Alternatively, a pair of weighted materials (often placed symmetrically) are called panniers. While traditional usage of pack animals by nomadic tribespeople is declining, a new market is growing in the tourist expeditions industry in regions such as the High Atlas mountains of Morocco, allowing visitors the comfort of backpacking with animals. The use of pack animals "is considered a valid means of viewing and experiencing" some National Parks in America, subject to guidelines and closed areas. In the 21st century, special forces have received guidance on the use of horses, mules, llamas, camels, dogs, and elephants as pack animals.

Load carrying capacity

The maximum load for a camel is roughly 300 kg. Yaks are loaded differently according to region. In Sichuan, 165 lb is carried for 30 km in 6 hours. In Qinghai, at 4,100 m altitude, packs of up to 660 lb are routinely carried, while up to 860 lb is carried by the heaviest steers for short periods. Llamas can carry roughly a quarter of their body weight, so an adult male of 200 kg can carry some 50 kg. Loads for equids are disputed. The US Army specifies a maximum of 20 percent of body weight for mules walking up to 20 mi a day in mountains, giving a load of up to about 200 lb. However an 1867 text mentioned a load of up to 800 lb. In India, the prevention of cruelty rules (1965) limit mules to 200 kg and ponies to 70 kg. Reindeer can carry up to 40 kg for a prolonged period in mountains.