Pufferfish

Pufferfish deploy three defense mechanisms in escalating sequence. First, they inflate by gulping water (or air if caught), expanding to several times normal size. Second, many species have spines that become erect during inflation, making them difficult to swallow. Third, their tissues contain tetrodotoxin - one of nature's deadliest poisons, 1,200 times more toxic than cyanide. A single pufferfish contains enough toxin to kill 30 adult humans.

The layered defense creates multiple deterrent effects. Inflation startles predators and makes the puffer too large for most mouths. Spines add physical injury to the swallowing attempt. Tetrodotoxin provides lethal consequences for any predator that persists. Each layer deters threats that pass through previous layers. Most predators stop at inflation; dedicated predators stop at spines; only naive or desperate predators experience the toxin.

For business, pufferfish represent layered deterrence strategies. The first layer might be reputation (inflation) - appearing larger and more formidable than actual size. The second layer might be defensive complexity (spines) - legal obstacles, switching costs, or integration challenges. The third layer might be destructive capability (toxin) - litigation war chests, regulatory relationships, or nuclear options. Each layer stops some portion of threats. Only the most persistent attackers trigger the final layer - and even they may not survive it.