Despite the falsehoods that some politicians peddle, facts still matter, and getting those facts right is essential for survival. I know, because I regularly see the deadly consequences of getting facts wrong.

I am a behavioral ecologist, and I study how animals assess and manage predation risk. But, rather than study the flashy predators — with their sharp teeth, stealthy approaches and impressive sprinting abilities — I focus on their food.

Some wallabies make bad use of facts. Too often, these four-legged snacks ignore information right in front of them — like rustling in the underbrush or the scent of a passing carnivore. And they pay for this ignorance dearly, with the sudden slash of talons, or the constricting squeeze of a powerful jaw.