Japan is chain of around 7,000 islands in the northwest Pacific Ocean. They stretch for over 2,400 kilometres and cover an incredible range of climates, everything from frozen seas and snow capped mountains, to sun kissed beaches and steamy mangroves. “Islands of Extremes” uncovers how animals adapt to survive in them all.

Winter in the central and northern islands can be savage but Japanese snow monkeys endure the bitter cold of Hells Valley on Honshu by basking in warm volcanic pools. Further north in Hokkaido, huge flocks of sea eagles fight to fish among the frozen seas while Japanese Cranes perform dramatic dances among the snow and secretive Serows risk coming out of hiding to forage.

As spring arrives, a wave of cherry blossom sweeps the islands. Warm weather heralds a busy time of year for Japanese Usho fishermen and their unlikely partners, the highly trained sea cormorants that catch fish for them. Giant salamanders patrol the rivers to find food and defend their homes, while Japanese honeybees use a special and grisly self defence tactic when they face attack from a hornet. They dive on the invader in huge numbers and the combined heat of their vibrating bodies roasts it alive.

Summer in the sweltering southern islands couldn’t be more different to winter in the north. Armies of crabs patrol steamy mangroves, while on sub tropical beaches Japanese macaques prove the depth of their intelligence and adaptability by washing sandy food before they eat it. Wide eyed youngsters watch and copy in one of the greatest examples of learnt behaviour seen in the wild.