A2Japanese+Nature+Project



__Native Japanese Animals__ -Macaque(Snow Monkey): The Japanese Macaque spends most of its time in forests. Its diet mainly consists of roots, berries, leaves, and bird eggs. This animal is also very intelligent sice it's one of the few animals to wash its food before eating it. They live in the mountains of Honshu, Japan. It survives winter temperatures below -15 °C. These animals are also made famous for the amount of time it spends in the naturally heated volcanic hot springs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZtVlpYSDmI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJ0HC8V76Y

-Raccoon Dog: These animals are found in both mountainous and plain regions and is very common in woodland areas. The Raccoon Dog also spends most of its time around villages. These animals are omnivorous. There diet is quite diverse, consisting of frogs, lizards, birds,and rodents along with seeds and berries. The Raccoon Dog is more of a stealthy hunter and plays dead alot of the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI7AQv1UBpo

-Leopard Cat: The Leopard Cat is as big as a domestic Cat. The habitat of this feline is forests and rainforests both in low and mountainous areas. It climbs trees quite skillfully and spends its time near watercourses. The Cat is solitary except around breeding seasons. It is nocturnal and during day it spends its time in caves. The Leopard Cat eats mostly hares, birds, rodents and other small mammals, even bats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI2BgIeh_6w

__Native Japanese Plants__
 * -**Sakura(Cherry): In Japan, cherry trees were planted and cultivated for their beauty, for the adornment of the grounds of the nobility of Kyoto, at least as early as 794. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and reaches Kyoto and Tyoko at the end of March. //Hanami// festivals celebrate the beauty of the sakura and for many are a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view. Most Japanese schools and public buildings have sakura trees outside of them. The most popular variety of sakura in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. Winter sakura begins to bloom in the fall and continues blooming greatly throughout the winter.

-Take(Bamboo): Bamboo is the largest member of the grass family.Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world. Their growth rate is highly dependent on on local soil and climate conditions. Bamboo is used for building materials and also food. Bamboo can grow six or more inches a day. Some bamboos flower every year, most species flower infrequently, many bamboos only flower at intervals as long as 60 or 120 years. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on Earth. It has been clocked surging skyward as fast as 121 cm in a 24-hour period.

-Momiji(Japanese Maple): This plant only grows in shady woodland areas.It may have multiple trunks joining close to the ground. In habit, it is often shaped like an upside-down pyramid or takes on a dome-like form, especially when it's mature. Japanese Maple has been grown in temperature areas around the world since the 1800s and has been cultivated in Japan for centuries. Red-leafed cultivars are the most popular, followed by cascading green shrubs with deeply dissected leaves. Some tolerate sun and others like shade. Almost all are adaptable and blend well with companion plants. The trees are particularly suitable for borders and ornamental paths because the root systems are compact and not invasive. Well drained soil is preferred and the trees grow strongest when not over-fertilized.