Some ninjas came up with a way of telling what time it is by the shape of a cats pupil.  The the thinner the pupil is, the closer it is to 12:00.  Here is a diagram of what the ninjas looked for in the cats eye:

    One way that ninjas could tell the direction was from the rings on a tree stump.  As the rings get closer together on one side, they make a slight arrow.  This points the ninja north and makes it easy to navigate.

This picture is real but slightly exaggerated from what may be seen on the average tree stump.  Click photo to enlarge.

    Another way that the ninjas can tell direction is from three sticks.  One stick that is about one foot long is driven straight into the ground.  One twig is placed at the end of the shadow.  The ninja then waits fifteen minutes to see where the shadow has moved to.  He places the other twig as the end of the new shadow.  He places his right foot on the first twig and his left foot on the second twig.  Now the ninja is facing true north.

    How do ninjas rest?  Ninjas wear long sashes that they can tie to trees.  They climb up to the top of a tree and make a spider web- type hammock that they can rest in.  This can also be used to hide and spy on incoming enemies.

    Ninjas have learned to adapt to there surroundings.  They needed water so they learned how to find water.  If there are certain plants, it means that water is nearby.   Crickets and ants also mean that there is water nearby.

Stealth

    Guidelines for stealth walking
Excerpt from "The Mystic Arts of the Ninja" by Stephen K. Hayes

1.   "  Maintain balance control by allowing your body weight to sink and be carried by deeply flexed knees.
2.     Remember to breathe along with your movement. Unconsciously holding your breath can unknowingly produce unneeded muscle tension, and could result in gasping release of breathe if you are startled or accidentally unbalanced.
3.     Stay alert to the entire scene. Do not become so engrossed in watching your feet that you do not notice other people an elements entering the surroundings.
4.     Use all joints for movement, emphasizing fluidity through the engagement of the ankles, knees, and hips for stepping. Avoid the lazy and dangerous habit of stiffening knees and swinging the entire leg from the hip.
5.     Maintain your weight and balance on your grounded leg while you move the other leg into position to bear the weight. When absolute silence is a must, avoid distributing your weight over both legs at the same time.
6.     If practical, allow your hands to float lightly in front of and beside your torso, one arm higher and one arm lower, to detect possible obstructions before your committed body weight encounters them.
7.     Pause and hold your position if you feel that you have accidentally caused too much noise. Listen for signs that you were heard, such as the movement of others or the immediate silencing of background noise following your slip. Sink a little lower on your knees to physically relax that could normally jump into your body with alarm. Take a deep breathe and release it slowly to further relax. Continue your pause for as long as you feel is necessary to regain composure and allow possible listeners to decide they did not hear anything after all.
8.     Be as patient as possible. If speed of travel is not important, take as much time as you can. Impatience and the resultant hasty movement that it encourages are the greatest dangers to the person who must move silently without detection.
9.     Keep your movement appropriate to your surroundings. Do not go to greater lengths than necessary to conceal your movement, while at the same being aware of what others entering the area may see if they cannot hear. Total silence may not be needed when moving through wooded or densely populated areas where scattered noise is a natural part of the environment. Also be aware that low profile crawling or sliding ma be the only way to move silently without being seen in some locations."

Poison

      Ninja often use poisons.  This is because digesting poison is as effective as a weapon, but with no mess.  Poison can be put in food, drinks and on the tips of arrows or darts.  There are many different types of poison that can be extracted from plants or animals.  The bufo marinus is a large toad that holds a highly lethal poison.  Blowfish (Puffer fish) also contain a very poisonous substance that can be used.  Tomato and rhubarb leaves hold a poison that can give a human cardiac arrest.  Seeds of apples, cherries, plumb and other fruits can contain cyanide. 

   Another powerful poison is a type of mushroom called the amanita phalloides.  It is a mushroom that's lethality is ten times greater that of cyanide.  Not all poisons used by ninjas were to kill the enemy, some poisons caused muscle spasms and others blindness.  A lot of the time, sharp ninja weapons would be dipped in poison to cause greater harm.