But even if we can decipher thoughts, we stil habitually choose the same decision almost everytime. For another example of human behavior - just look at the way people sit in a classroom. You will almost always sit in the same seat, and the only time you will not sit in the same seat is when someone else is already sitting there. At that point, your not comfortable. This is outside your realm of saftey.
I assume the same is true for animals, the only difference is they do not think about these habits. It is only natural for an animal to do what it habitually knows is right.