What is true about two animals with identical niches in the same habitat?

When two animals occupy identical ecological niches in the same habitat, they draw on the same resources and fulfill similar roles within that ecosystem. This scenario often leads to competition, as the animals will vie for limited resources such as food, water, and shelter. In this competitive environment, one species may outcompete the other, leading to the decline or potential extinction of the less competitive species. This principle is rooted in the competitive exclusion principle, which states that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist indefinitely if other ecological factors remain constant.

In contrast, the other options suggest cooperative interactions or beneficial outcomes, which are not typically associated with identical niches. Survival and success in such conditions rely heavily on resource sharing, which becomes impossible when two species are competing for the exact same niche. Thus, the assertion about competition and the survival challenges faced by the animals is a well-supported ecological concept.