The latter class predominates in Zimbabwe and is also found in some parts of Mozambique and Zambia. There are about 70,000 Mukota pigs in Zimbabwe. The first comprehensive study on indigenous pigs in Zimbabwe was done in 1973 with pigs from an area in the North Eastern part of Zimbabwe called Mukota, hence their name. Mukota pig are well known to be hardy and well adapted to the harsh tropical environment in terms of heat stress, disease resistance and inadequate nutrition. Naturally Mukota pigs have a selective advantage to survive and reproduce on low plane of nutrition.
Water consumption is also very low.
The low plane of nutrition here refers to low energy, low protein and high fiber. It has an enlarged caecum were elaborate hind-gut fermentation occurs making it able to strive on high fibrous diets compared to other pig breeds. Mukota pigs can easily survive under very unhygienic conditions testifying to their high disease resistance. Mating is uncontrolled during the free ranging period. The age at first litter ranges from 6 to 12 months.