Dr. Erich Ritter is a shark behaviorist focusing on shark-human interaction with special emphasis on accident analysis and reconstruction. He is considered a pioneer in this field as his books and peer-reviewed articles often paint a different picture than what the general public thinks of these animals. He believes in applied research, away from cages or any other protection when it comes to sharks, and constantly exposes himself and members of his research group to a variety of these animals to test scenarios under different conditions. The way sharks respond within the offered parameters form the basics for his recommendations, suggestions and interception rules to prevent an incident. Ritter believes that sharks are not dangerous per se, but can be due to situations humans themselves create. His enthusiasm of shark behavior is only matched by his passion of flying airplanes, and underwater photography.
Selected publications:
Ritter, E.K. & R. Amin (2015). A study of stealth behavior in the proximity of divers. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 5 (2), 224-228.
Amin, R., Ritter, E. & A. Wetzel (2014). An estimation of shark attack risk for the North and South Carolina coast line. Journal of Coastal Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-14-00027.1
Ritter, E. & R. Amin (2014). Are Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, able to perceive human body orientation? Animal Cognition 17, 745–753.
Unger, R., Ritter, E., Osiyemi, O. & J. Goodman (2014). Antibiotic susceptibilities of bacteria isolated within the oral flora of Florida blacktip sharks: guidance for empiric antibiotic therapy. PlosOne. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104577.
Amin, R., Ritter, E. & L. Cossette (2013). An investigation of shark density and attack rates in California. Journal of Environmental Ecology, http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jee.v3i1.2700.
Ritter, E. K. & Amin, R. W. (2012). Effect of human body position on the swimming behavior of bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas. Society & Animals, 20: 225-235.
Amin, R., Ritter, E. & P. Kennedy (2012). A geospatial analysis of shark attack rates for the east coast of Florida: 1994-2009. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, 45 (3): 185-198.
Ritter, E. (2011). Use of sand ripples to enhance chafing in Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Bulletin of Marine Science 87(3): 413-419.
Ritter, E. K. & M. Levine (2005). Bite motivation of sharks reflected by the wound structure on humans. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 26 (2): 136-40.
Ritter, E. K. & M. Levine (2004). Use of forensic analysis to better understand shark attack behaviour. Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology, 22 (2): 40-46.