Terrestrial fauna, both big and small, are also abundant in this region. The iconic Cape Leopard is the undisputed king of the region. Often facing persecution outside of protected areas, the Cederberg Wilderness area and associated protected areas provide a safe haven for these shy and mainly nocturnal animals. Smaller animals of conservation concern in the area include the Endangered van Zyl’s Golden Mole, a species so cryptic and rare that only four specimens have even been collected. Originally only known from near Lambert’s Bay, a second population was recently discovered near Groenriviermond along the Namaqualand coast. The landscape is home to the speckled padloper tortoise, also listed as Endangered. 

The region is also a birder’s paradise, with large numbers of waterbirds congregating at wetlands of the region such as Rocherpan and the Berg and Olifants River estuaries. Dassen Island represents only of only two breeding colonies in South Africa of the Endangered great while pelican. Closer to Cape Town, the Critically Endangered Table Mountain Ghost frog inhabits perennial streams in the Afromontane forested gorges and valleys on the eastern side of Table mountain.