Honey Badger

The honey badger is renowned for fearlessness disproportionate to its size, regularly attacking animals many times larger. Its loose, thick skin resists bites and stings, while specialized acetylcholine receptors provide resistance to snake venom. This combination of physical protection, chemical immunity, and relentless aggression allows honey badgers to exploit resources larger animals monopolize.

Honey badgers attack bee hives despite massive stinging, dig out venomous snakes as food, and chase lions off kills. Their strategy isn't winning through superior force—it's making victory too costly for opponents. Most animals retreat rather than endure the persistent, painful combat honey badgers inflict.

For business strategy, honey badgers illustrate how making competition costly can substitute for superior resources. Small competitors who fight so viciously that victory becomes pyrrhic for larger opponents can maintain market positions despite size disadvantages. The strategy requires genuine willingness to absorb damage—and demonstrating that willingness credibly.

The venom resistance offers specific insight: immunity to competitor weapons enables aggressive strategies. Companies resistant to litigation (through strong legal positions), price wars (through low cost structures), or talent raids (through strong culture) can pursue aggressive strategies that would destroy less protected competitors. Immunity enables aggression.