Abstract Mastication in miniature pigs was studied via microphone recording and correlated electromyography and cinematography. The results were compared with data from the literature on man and the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). It was concluded that anatomical similarities between pigs and higher primates are due to overall correspondences in masticatory systems adapted for processing a wide variety of foodstuffs. The dental crown patterns allow for both initial puncturing and crushing of the bolus and for transverse gliding of the teeth to grind the food. Lateral deviations of the jaw are produced by muscular couples which include the anterior-pulling masseter of one side and the posterior-pulling temporalis of the opposite side. Specific differences between pigs and higher primates are associated with specialization of the former for processing highly resistant foods. Peculiarities of pig mastication include functional independence of crushing and grinding movements, consecutive bilateral grinding, reversing the direction of chewing with each stroke, and a very rapid rate of mastication.