The home range of a family group of Tonkean macaques spans between 111-353 acres (45-143 ha), and the ranges of neighboring groups often overlap. Tonkean macaques display flexibility when their habitat has been altered as a result of human manipulation, such as deforestation. They react to these changes by relying on particular areas within their home range where known resources are present and predictably available. Macaque groups also increase their home range size under such conditions. The average daily movement within the home range is typically 0.73 miles (1,175 m). However, recent studies focusing on the adaptability of these macaques to territory loss due to human activity have shown that they travel shorter distances and spend more time resting and foraging when living in disturbed areas. The size of the group is strongly related to the amount and type of food available—and so is the time they spend traveling and foraging. 

Their sociable family groups consist of multiple adult males and females, alongside their juvenile and infant offspring. Groups average 24 individuals, and typically range between six to 35 individuals. A group is typically female-dominated, including twice as many females as males. The group is structured around matriarchs, some higher-ranking than others. The dominance hierarchy between matriarchs establishes the dominance hierarchy of their families within the troop, meaning the offspring of higher-ranking females are more dominant when compared with those of lower-ranking females. Males establish their own dominance hierarchy within the group as well, with a dominant male being the most likely individual to mate with the females.

Unlike other macaque species for whom favoritism and intolerance are the norm, Tonkean macaques are relatively amiable and do not strictly form relationships based on kinship and hierarchy. Group members can therefore freely interact with other group members, regardless of age or rank. Juveniles, for instance, don’t avoid adult males and establish contact without fearing punishment—even if an adult male is otherwise engaged with a female.

It’s not all peace and love, however. Conflicts arise occasionally. When they do, the threatened individual retaliates right away, regardless of the aggressor’s rank or gender. In fact, members of the group often express their grievances toward the highest-ranking male. This does not mean, however, that hierarchies can be easily toppled. They remain relatively stable for many years. Because relationship boundaries are more relaxed than in, for example, Japanese macaque or rhesus macaque (M. mulatta) societies, conflicts never last very long. A “mediator” usually intervenes between two opponents before things get out of hand. The mediator uses lip-smacks, play, mounting, or clasps to de-escalate the situation. Before long, the opponents relax and engage in social grooming. Once again, unlike other macaque species, Tonkean macaques are more liberal, and all individuals in the group, no matter their kinship, rank, or gender, are free to groom anyone they like.

This easy-going attitude does not extend to neighboring groups, with whom they can be quite aggressive.