Warthogs are adaptable, highly active omnivores whose welfare in zoo settings depends on providing adequate space for rooting and running, appropriate social groupings, and environmental complexity.
Warthogs in zoos can adapt reasonably well to captivity compared to more specialised species, but their welfare depends on enclosure design and management practices. Rooting is a fundamental warthog behaviour — they spend hours daily using their snouts and callused knees to excavate food — and enclosures with hard substrates or limited digging opportunities deny this need, leading to redirected rooting on enclosure furniture or stereotypic behaviour. Social housing is important; females and young benefit from group living while males may need careful management around conspecifics. Enclosures should include substrate for rooting, simulated burrow structures for security, and sufficient space for running. Thermal comfort is important — warthogs cannot sweat effectively and rely on shade and wallowing to thermoregulate. Access to wallow pits is a significant welfare provision in warm climates.