While arpines are noted for a sense of individualism they still do form close bonds and have a complex social structure as well as a series of instinctual norms which dictate interactions and collaboration between arpine individuals. Observed behaviors include basic group dynamics, conduction of mutual pacts, leadership, vindication for other arpines, mating, bonds between individuals, family structure, and cross-integration. Natural social dynamics between arpines is a large driver of arpine culture and societal structure, and also drives how arpines conduct themselves in non-arpine societies.

Arpine groups are usually built around a common goal, such as hunting a specific type of prey, raising young, survival in a hostile environment, rivalries between groups, maintaining prey-rich environments, or in modern times an economic or cultural incentive. Arpine groups are held together by a sense of mutual respect and individual worth contributing to a common goal. Often times these groups are temporary pacts that disband once the common goal is completed, but in some cases where individual bonds and the sense of camaraderie become strong enough groups can last in some form even long beyond the original goal, the earliest arpine political entities and nations were thought to have formed this way.

Arpines also largely reject the notion and idea of inherent hierarchy, leadership positions are granted to those who are mutually held in high respect by all or most members of the group. Leaders are also judged and held up based on the contribution of their individual worth to the cause and leaders can usually be removed from their position without much resistance. It is also common for arpine groups to swap leaders and ranks regularly as the situation changes and/or their capabilities grow or wane. Those who can retain a leadership position long term are held in high regard, and this attitude towards the idea of earned leadership is a huge driver of modern arpine politics.

It is also very common for individual arpines to leave, migrate between, and integrate into different groups as their individual needs change. Loyalty is mainly dependent on if their own needs are being met, and also partially dependant on their personal bonds and if there is strong camaraderie. Even present-day arpines tend to not stay in the same place their whole lives and move around frequently, as is seen culturally as being an important aspect of the "life journey". Arpines also inject their experience from previous groups into new groups, and this is what is thought to have led to an early syncretization and eclectic nature of arpine cultures.

See Gender and Sexuality for info on this subject.

Arpine family structures are highly variable. Arpine families can consist of two parents caring for one or more cubs, extended relatives caring for cubs, other group members helping care for cubs, or a single parent caring for their cubs. Generally the father will care for the mother during her pregnancy where he will protect her and do all the major hunting for her during the most cumbersome period of the pregnancy. The father will continue to care for his mate and the newborn cub for a month or two until the mother recovers her strength and begins hunting for herself again. After this point the parents, as well as other adults caring for the cubs, will take turns between hunting and caring for the cub.

In the case of more group-based or polygamous structures a group of peak pregnant females will be protected by males at all times while the rest of the group, including non-pregnant females, hunts or engage in supportive activities. In this structure each adult will contribute to the well-being and raising of the cubs and rotate roles as necessary.

Just because an arpine mother is pregnant or nursing doesn't mean she's helpless. Single arpine parents are still capable of caring for a cub and sustaining themselves at the same time in the event the other parent is dead or absent or otherwise have no support, just not as optimally as otherwise. Arpines will also commonly adopt an orphaned cub and care for them as if they were one of their own, and it isn't rare that the parents will be off partaking in important activities for longer periods of time and trust other adults to care for their cubs in the period they are away.

Arpine mothers have a tendency to be aggressively protective of their cubs, attacking with relentless violence if their cubs are threatened. Even after their cubs become adults arpine mothers will still be very vindictive towards those who cause them harm. This vindication can be intense, and often can be surprising to those not aware of it.

Once arpine cubs reach a certain age they become independent enough that they can be left to their own devices for longer periods of time while the caretakers are off doing activities. Eventually, once the cub is old enough, the parents (or other caretakers) will begin to bring them along on their excursions and mentor them until they become fully self-sufficient. This trait is reflected in many modern arpine traditions of parental-mentorship and personal coming-of-age trials. Upon reaching adulthood the offspring will leave home to begin their life journey, but due to long-lasting bonds they might return to their parental group from time to time and potentially even aid in raising newer cubs.

It is easy for some to assume that the individualistic-leaning nature of arpines means they are selfish but this actually couldn't be further from the truth. It is a major unspoken and instinctual rule among arpines that others are not to have their own life journeys infringed upon and it is encouraged to aid them when necessary. Arpines will extend goodwill towards one another to aid them in goals and challenges as well as lend advice, wisdom, knowledge, resources, and teachings. Arpines desire to see other arpines flourish in their own personal journeys and will show charity towards those who are suffering, ill, or falling behind.

Arpines also have an incredibly strong sense of justice to the point of having a reputation for being vengeful. If they or someone they know has been wronged they will often excessively humiliate or otherwise punish the individual who wronged them. Someone who regularly impedes on the life journey of other arpines typically becomes an outcast and is considered an "acceptable" social target and will find it hard to impossible to integrate into other groups. Arpines are not against the idea of reformation, however, as an offender will often be forgiven in time if they have shown the required progress determined by their peers.

Worst offenders such as murderers, rapists, sociopaths, mass manipulators, social predators, oppressive leaders, terrorists, environmental destroyers, or those who commit similar acts that show a lack of any empathy or unapologetic lack of respect for the life journeys of others, will often be straight up eaten alive by their peers. It's a silently-kept open secret that this practice of primal cannibalistic execution still exists among modern "civilized" arpines, and arpine law enforcement will often turn a blind eye whenever a notorious individual goes "missing" and no one will mention or ask about it in public. There would be nothing left of a body remaining anyways so there would be no way to prove the "crime", and it's considered best just not to speak about it.