Pack animal
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
- Arctic – reindeer and sled dogs
- Central Africa and Southern Africa – oxen, mules, donkeys
- Eurasia – donkeys, oxen, horses, mules
- * Central Asia – Bactrian camels, yaks, horses, mules, donkeys
- * South and Southeast Asia – water buffaloes, yaks, Asian elephants
- North America – horses, mules, donkeys, goats
- North Africa and Middle East – dromedaries, horses, donkeys, mules, oxen
- Oceania – donkeys, horses, dromedaries, mules, oxen
- South America – llamas, donkeys, mules
Uses
Pack animals may be fitted with pack saddles and may also carry saddlebags. Alternatively, a pair of weighted materials 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.Yaks are loaded differently according to region. In Sichuan, is carried for in 6 hours. In Qinghai, at altitude, packs of up to are routinely carried, while up to is carried by the heaviest steers for short periods.
Llamas can carry roughly a quarter of their body weight, so an adult male of can carry some.
Loads for equids are disputed. The US Army specifies a maximum of 20 percent of body weight for mules walking up to a day in mountains, giving a load of up to about. However an 1867 text mentioned a load of up to. In India, the prevention of cruelty rules limit mules to and ponies to.
Reindeer can carry up to for a prolonged period in mountains.