Competitive Moat / Economic Moat

Biological Parallel

Competitive moats are defended niches. Crocodiles occupy a moat-protected position: amphibious ambush predators in tropical rivers, defended by specialized anatomy (armored hide, crushing jaws, low metabolism) that evolved over 200 million years. Competitors would need to replicate the entire adaptation suite to challenge them. The moat widens through: network effects (territorial marking), switching costs (site fidelity), intangible assets (evolved behaviors), and cost advantages (efficient metabolism). Moats aren't permanent—changing climates and invasive species breach even ancient defenses.