They are predominantly nocturnal, particularly in developed areas, but are active during the day in wilderness areas. When hunting, the leopard uses a silent stalk and short rush to catch its prey and kills it by suffocating it or biting it on the nape of the neck, back of the skull or throat. If the opportunity presents itself, they may kill more than is immediately required and in areas where they compete with other large predators, particularly lion and hyaena, they regularly store their kills in trees. They are exceptionally strong and have been known to hoist even young giraffe up vertical tree trunks. There is no permanent pair bond and associations between males and females are temporary.
Breeding takes place throughout the year, but occurs predominantly during the summer months.
Cubs are born in a sheltered place among rocks or in an antbear hole after a gestation period of approximately 100 days. Normally two to three cubs are born, and in the early stages of their life, the mother may move them every alternate day or so in an attempt to avoid predators such as hyaena. The cubs start hunting with their mother when they are about 4 months old, are fully independent at 14 months and remain with their mother for up to 22 months, after which affectionate reunions may take place. As leopards frequently take to stock raiding, they are often shot, poisoned or trapped, but apart from man, lions are their most dangerous enemy. Leopards are well known as man-eaters in India, but this unappealing habit is very uncommon in Africa.