What error occurs in Python if recursion depth exceeds the limit?

When the recursion depth exceeds the limit in Python, a RecursionError is raised. This specific error indicates that the maximum recursion depth has been reached. Python has a default limit on the depth of recursion to prevent excessive use of stack space, which could lead to crashes or inefficiencies. This limit can be altered using the sys.setrecursionlimit() function if necessary, but doing so requires caution to avoid the risk of stack overflow.

The RecursionError provides clear feedback to the programmer that the recursive function has called itself too many times without reaching a base case, leading to a situation where the program can no longer keep track of function calls. It's important for developers to manage recursion effectively and ensure that their recursive functions have appropriate base cases to avoid hitting this limit.