Acer japonicum ecnifolium 'Full Moon' (Full Moon Maple)

A slow growing small tree with green leaves and a distinctive spreading habit followed by a domed shade in maturity. Bright red autumn colour. Can reach up to 30ft after 50 years.

Position: Best grown in well drained, moist, neutral to acid soil in light shade. Protect from cold and drying winds in early spring. 'By cuttings'

ACER JAPONICUM ‘MEIGETSU’ (HARVEST MOON MAPLE)

It is an upright and strong grower reaching 2 or 3m over 10 years.

Best grown with their feet in the shade and head in the sun, in well drained, moist, neutral to acid soil, protected from cold and drying winds. Prune lightly for health but never when the sap is rising in the spring. Propagated by cuttings/grafted.

Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica)

The Japanese Eel lives off the coast of Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and the northern regions of the South China Sea. They are olive green, tranquil brown, white, or soft yellow. Moreover, they have small heads with large eyes that help them see in the dark.

The Japanese Eel migrates most of its time in freshwater or brackish waters. During the breeding season, they migrate into the ocean, swimming hundreds, or even thousands, of miles to reach spawning grounds in the far West of the North Pacific Ocean.

Part of the eel life cycle is the development of leptocephali, offspring that rely on ocean currents to guide them back to their freshwater habitats for several months3.

Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus)

The Japanese Giant Salamander lives in Japan's mountainous landscapes. Its crinkled and coarse skin helps it blend in with the rocks in its watery habitat. Like other salamanders in the Andrias genus, it is large, reaching up to 5 feet.

These types of salamanders are nocturnal creatures that rely on their sense of smell and touch to hunt for fish, insects, worms, and small mammals. During the breeding season, males become aggressive and fiercely guard their nesting sites, which can hold up to 500 eggs.

Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata)

Fun Fact: The bullet ant has the most painful sting among all insects worldwide. People have compared its sting to being shot, hence its name. According to the Schmidt sting pain index, the Bullet Ant sting pain can last up to 24 hours.

The bullet ant builds colonies at the foot of trees, and they do not have a queen. Instead, female ants lay eggs that become workers.

Bullet ants have keen vision and smell, which help them track intruders over long distances, find food, and navigate the forest. They eat small arthropods, nectar, and plant juices, controlling pest populations and aerating the soil.