The world is filled with millions of species, or is it? Researchers are uncovering new species of plants and animals every year, but it looks as though we’re still no closer to finding out how many really live on Earth – and we may never know.

Making Their Guess

Scientists don’t just pull a number out of a hat. They make an educated guess about how many species are living on the planet. Some believe there are between 2 and 8 million different species, but others think there are 5.5 million species of bugs alone. This could push the number into the tens of millions.

Changing The Figures

Potentially having so many species means that other figures have changed, too. Before, it was thought that 27,000 species are endangered. Now, researchers believe the number is more likely to be around the 1 million species mark.

The Smaller Critters

So how could there be so many species living on Earth without us ever knowing? That’s all thanks to the smallest of the smallest critters. These are the mites that live on the insects and the worms that live in the mites on the insects. Phew.

Increasing Exploration

Many scientists believe that increasing the amount of exploration we do is the key to finding out an accurate number – and helping to save species along the way. Thousands of species have gone extinct in the last few hundred years. However, that could all change if we know how many species we need to conserve.

The world is filled with all kinds of hidden wonders. The best bit? The plants and animals make it such a beautiful planet. However, it looks as though we may never know how many species we really share the space with as there could simply be too many to count.

We’ve recently checked in on everyone’s favorite lifeguards from the popular ’90s show Baywatch. Let’s take a look at what these actors and actresses have been up to since leaving the beaches of Los Angeles County.

Carmen Electra started her career as a singer and dancer before pursuing an acting career. In the mid-1990s, she began making appearances on television and in 1996, was featured in Playboy magazine, a job which ultimately lead to her famous role on Baywatch as Lani McKenzie.

Electra has appeared in Playboy four more times since her big break, appearing on the cover in three out of the four issues. In 1997, she was featured in films American Vampire and Good Burger. Electra has also modeled for London Night Studios comic books and been regularly featured in commercials for Maxim Men’s Hair Color products and Ritz Camera Centers. As one of the most recognizable of the Baywatch lifeguards, Electra is still very much in the peak of her career.

David Chokachi was completely unknown before Baywatch. After attending the elite prep-school Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, and graduating with a degree in political science from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, Chokachi set out to pursue a career in acting in the mid-1990s. He came onto the scene initially as Cody Madison, the aspiring Olympic swimmer sidelined by an irregular heartbeat and male heartthrob of Baywatch from seasons six through nine, and eventually replaced David Charvet as a main cast member.

Almost immediately after leaving Baywatch in 1999, David Chokachi picked up the role of Jake McCartey on the TV series Witchblade, which only ran until 2002. In 1997, Chokachi made People magazine’s list of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.” Chokachi has appeared in numerous made-for-TV movies throughout his career including recent films Cyber Chase, Patient Killer, and Rage of the Yeti. Chokakachi has also taken part in the 2009 reality TV show Confessions of a Teen Idol alongside fellow Baywatch cast member, Jeremy Jackson.

Parker Stevenson started his career with a role in the 1972 movie A Separate Peace. Four years later, Stevenson landed a role opposite Sam Elliot in Lifeguard, a role which may have potentially paved the way for his Baywatch future. Stevenson was also featured in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries series in the late 1970s on ABC. In 1986, he starred in North and South: Book II and appeared on Probe in 1988 before joining the original cast of Baywatch in 1989.

Following Baywatch, Parker held a recurring role on season two of Melrose Place and starred in the 1998 television film Legion. He has remained active in both television and movies, with recent credits in films such as Perfect Disguise, The War Riders, Not of This Earth, and Hidden Truth and television appearances in shows like Judging Amy, Burke’s Law, Trapped, and Bull. Stevenson is also a talented photographer, having learned from a young age. He currently runs his own photography website called ShadowWorks.

Nancy Valen began pursuing a theater career, studying for a year before moving to New York City. In New York, Valen started acting on soap opera called Ryan’s Hope. She stayed on Ryan’s Hope for two years before making the move to Los Angeles. Her first major film was Porky’s Revenge in 1985. Valen’s other early credits include The Heavenly Kid, Loverboy, and Listen to Me. Before Baywatch, Valen also appeared in episodes of Miami Vice, Charles in Charge, and Murder, She Wrote.

Before Nancy Valen had her main role of Samantha Thomas on Baywatch from 1996-1997, she actually appeared as a guest in a 1989 episode. While she has been featured in individual episodes of shows such as Boy Meets World, Friends, Full House, and Saved by the Bell, Valen’s 22 episodes on Baywatch proved to be the peak of her acting career. These days, Valen has shifted focus from acting to producing and is currently working on an action-comedy franchise called ACTION HEROES INC.

A jack of all trades, the French David Charvet is a singer, actor, model, and television personality. Charvet was almost entirely unknown before being cast as Matt Brody on Baywatch in 1992. Before Baywatch, Charvet was living in his native France and touring as a singer. In the early 1990s, he won the Morrison visa lottery and was granted a green card. He then left his home country behind, and it wasn’t long before his American dream became a reality.

David Charvet would stay on Baywatch for a total of three seasons, leaving in 1995. He went on to appear in episodes of Melrose Place, Seduced and Betrayed, Derby, Angel Flight Down, and Meet Prince Charming until 1999, when he decided to give up acting in order to focus on his music career. Charvet returned to France where he signed a 5-album contract with Universal Music Group France. His music career was successful overseas and he had numerous international hits.

The acting career of Brooke Burns began with a role in the 1995 teen sitcom Out of the Blue. While her character Peg was featured in every episode, Burns didn’t really hit it big until she joined the cast of Baywatch in 1998. Before Baywatch, Burns had a few small roles on 1997 episodes of Conan the Adventurer and Ally McBeal. On Baywatch, she portrayed Jesse Owens, the former cleaner and new addition to the lifeguard team in season nine.

Brooke Burns was on Baywatch: Hawaii for a total of 46 episodes before moving on to host the NBC game show Dog Eat Dog. Burns hosted Dog Eat Dog from 2002 until 2003 and was even nominated for a Teen Choice Award for her hosting talents. Burns then returned to acting, starring in the prime-time soap opera North Shore for 21 episodes in 2004 and 2005. Her most notable acting credits include roles in Melrose Place, CSI: Miami, and Community.

Pamela Anderson was first spotted on the jumbotron at a BC Lions Canadian Football League game while wearing a Labatt’s Beer T-shirt. After seeing her, the brewing company decided to make the young Pam Anderson a spokesmodel. Anderson was then featured on the cover of a 1989 Playboy magazine issue and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career. Anderson started her TV career as Lisa on Home Improvement, before leaving after two seasons for her famous role as Baywatch‘s C.J. Parker.

Anderson stayed on Baywatch for five seasons between the years 1992 and 1997. Her role as C.J. would live on for even longer than the show’s legacy, as her character reappeared in 2003’s Baywatch: Hawaiin Wedding, and DirecTV’s 2007 commercial campaign. Anderson has also been involved in the big screen since her time on Baywatch, with numerous movie appearances. Anderson has appeared in reality shows Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars, and Dancing on Ice. Anderson has also been active in several activism efforts.

David Hasselhoff, aka “The Hoff,” currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most watched man on TV. His career began with a role as Dr. “Snapper Foster” on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. He stayed there from 1975 until 1982. During this time, The Hoff also played Simon in the 1978 space opera Starcrash, and launched a singing career. From 1982 until 1986, Hasselhoff rose to fame for his role as Michael Knight in the popular NBC show Knight Rider.

Hasselhoff starred as Mitch Buchannon on Baywatch for the entire length of the series and for the first season of Baywatch: Hawaii as well. The Hoff’s legacy as Mitch Buchannon and Michael Knight has lived on and he has made numerous self-parodic appearances in films including The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. In 2010, Comedy Central hosted The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff, where friends and co-workers of The Hoff gathered to celebrate his success by making fun of him.

The son of a stuntman, Billy Warlock had always been interested in acting. His first Hollywood gig came after finishing high school. His father was able to get him a job as a stuntman on an episode of Mork & Mindy. The producer of this episode, Garry Marshalll, would later cast Warlock in the tenth season of Happy Days. Before joining Baywatch as Eddie Kramer, Warlock appeared in shows like Days of Our Lives, ABC Afterschool Special, and 21 Jump Street.

Billy Warlock’s Baywatch character, Eddie Kramer, was featured in the first three seasons of the series, as well as in the 2003 reunion movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. Warlock ended up leaving the series with more than just another bullet point for his acting resume, as he was engaged to his former co-star, Erika Eleniak for a short period of time. Most recently, Warlock has acted in episodes of The Young and the Restless, Damages, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live.

Jaason Simmons was born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania. At the age of 23, Simmons began his acting career with a role on the Australian series Paradise Beach. A year later, in 1994, Simmons landed the role of Logan Fowler on the fifth season of Baywatch. Similar to his real-life persona, Logan Fowler was a new member of the lifeguard team from Tasmania. Fowler’s biggest issue was his ego, which caused him to frequently butt heads with his co-workers and superiors.

Jaason Simmons left Baywatch in 1997 and went on to work in London, appearing in numerous theater productions as well as independent films. Since his time as Logan Fowler, Simmons has appeared in films such as The Devil’s Tattoo, Frankenstein & the Werewolf Reborn!, Bloody Mary, Mad Cowgirl, Friends of Dorothy, Sharknado, and, most recently, 2015’s 3-Headed Shark Attack. In 2008, Simmons came out as gay and was featured alongside his fiancé, Irish actor John O’Callaghan, in the March issue of New Idea.

After high school , Jose Solano left his hometown of Englewood, California to join the Navy. When Solano was cast as Manny Gutierrez on the seventh season of Baywatch, he became the first Hispanic to hold a regular role on the show. Manny’s character was one of the youngest on the Baywatch team, but he had proven his worth. With his superior physical prowess, Mitch Buchannon decided that his age was irrelevant and that he needed to add Gutierrez to the team.

Jose Solano stayed on Baywatch until 1999. For a good portion of his run on Baywatch, Jose Solano’s character of Manny Gutierrez was in a wheelchair as a result of a life-threatening accident. Solano moved on from Baywatch, serving as an actor as well as production manager. He has been featured in the Spanish drama series Amor en custodia, in addition to Resurrection Blvd. Solano was named by YM magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”

Before becoming Jordan Tate, Traci Bingham started her career with a number of small acting roles, with appearances in popular shows including D.R.E.A.M., Beverly Hills, 90210, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Married…with Children, as well as a part in the film Demon Night. Bingham was also featured in the 1991 music video for “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Bingham joined the Baywatch cast in 1996 and stayed on the show for the seventh and eighth seasons.

Throughout the early 2000s, Traci Bingham participated in reality shows including VH1’s The Surreal Life, where she was cast alongside other celebrities who had fallen out of the spotlight, as well as Celebrity Big Brother, which was filmed in England. Bingham worked as a spokesmodel for Empire Poker in 2005 and showed up to roast her former co-star at the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. Most recently, Bingham was a guest on Hell’s Kitchen and contestant on Battle of the Network Stars.

After graduating from California State University, Marliece Andrada moved out to Los Angeles to try her hand at acting. In 1995, Maliece became a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. She was a “Raiderette” for just one season. Her first acting gig came in 1996 when she was featured on the HBO’s Arli$$. While Andrada was initially only cast as an extra, she quickly earned a speaking part. Andrada’s big break came when she joined the cast of Baywatch in season 8.

Marliece Andrada appeared as Skylar Bergman for just a few episodes in season 8. This was enough to gain her some well-deserved recognition. Andrada was even featured as the Playmate of the Month in the March 1998 issue of Playboy. In 1999, Andrada appeared in an action fantasy video game called Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko as a kidnapped human in need of rescuing by a gecko named Gex. That same year, Andrada had an uncredited role in Love Stinks.

Before becoming lifeguard Jill Riley on Baywatch, Shawn Weatherly was the 1980 winner of both the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants. Weatherly’s first acting credit came in 1983 as Billie Ann Baxley on The Dukes of Hazzard. That same year, she also landed roles on The A-Team, and Happy Days. Aside from her role on Baywatch, Shawn Weatherly is most well-known for her portrayal of Cadet Karen Adams in the 1986 comedy Police Academy 3: Back in Training.

Shawn Weatherly played Jill Riley, a highly-experienced lifeguard, on Baywatch for just one season before her character was tragically killed from medical complications following a shark attack. Shawn Weatherly is now the mother of two children, and wife of Chip Harris, the president of a biotech research company. After a nine-year hiatus from acting, Weatherly returned to appear as Carol Derricks in a 1999 episode of Chicago Hope. Most recently, Weatherly acted in the 2014 horror comedy film, Love in the Time of Monsters.

Before she played Alex Ryker on Baywatch, Mitzi Kapture had numerous small appearances in low-budget films such as House II: The Second Story and Private Road: No Trespassing. Kapture also had a couple guest appearances on MacGyver before making a name for herself as Sgt. Rita Lee Lance on the series Silk Stalkings. She held this from from 1991 until 1995. She then spent some time acting for television films Perfect Crime and His Bodyguard before landing a role on Baywatch.

In 2002, Mitzi Kapture had a three-year soap opera stint as series regular, Anita Hodges, on The Young and the Restless. Kapture continued acting through the late 2000s, appearing in the 2006 television film, Night of Terror, as well as 2008’s critically acclaimed independent film, God’s Ears, where she portrayed a therapist working with autistic patients. In 2010, Mitzi Kapture appeared in an episode of the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement and she was most recently featured in 2018’s The Executive.

Singer and actor Jeremy Jackson met David Hasselhoff on the set of Baywatch, where he played Hobie Buchanon, Hasselhoff’s son and love interest of Summer Quinn. He was on the show from season two until season nine. While filming together, Hasselhoff introduced Jeremy Jackson to music and would later take Jackson with him on his 1993 European tour. Jackson signed to Edel records, where he came out with two albums and six singles in the mid-1990s. Jackson admitted that he left Baywatch because of substance abuse issues.

Throughout the 2000’s, Jeremy Jackson was featured on numerous reality shows and day-time talk shows, many of which centered around the actor’s off-screen issues, and substance abuse problems. In 2011, Jackson was a cast member on the fifth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where he publicly recovered from substance addiction. He was also interviewed on the E! TV special Child Star Confidential. Unfortunately, Jackson was sentenced to 270 days in jail in 2017 as the result of a violent incident from 2015.

Yasmine Bleeth got her start at the age of 12, when she starred in her first movie, 1980’s Hey Babe! and moved on to working on the soap opera Ryan’s Hope by age 16. In 1991, she starred for three years on another soap opera, One Life to Live. Before being cast as Caroline Holden on Baywatch, Bleeth also appeared in a 1993 episode of Herman’s Head. She stayed on Baywatch for 72 episodes and appeared in the franchise’s 1995 and 2003 TV movies.

Bleeth’s most prominent role as Baywatch‘s Caroline Holden brought the actress lots of fame and recognition, opening doors in television, film, and modeling. In addition to frequently appearing in FHM, People magazine included Bleeth on their 1995 list of the 50 Most Beautiful People. Most recently, Bleeth starred in the 2000 TV series Titans and returned to the Baywatch franchise in the 2003 TV movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. In the early 2000s, Bleeth made headlines for substance abuse issues and some legal trouble.

Before becoming famous as Donna Marco on Baywatch, Donna D’Errico had a Las Vegas-based limousine company. In 1995, she got her first taste of fame when she was featured as a centerfold in the September issue of Playboy. This would eventually lead to her breakout role on Baywatch.

After Baywatch, D’Errico did some work as a correspondent and host of Battlebots in the early 2000s. She also starred in the 1999 horror film Candyman: Day of the Dead and appeared in numerous independent films including Intervention, Inconceivable, and The Making of Plus One. D’Errico also owned her own Zen Spa in Calabasas, California for a while. Recently, D’Errico spoke openly about her renewed Catholic faith and participated in an expedition to Mount Ararat in search of frozen remains of Noah’s ark.

Krista Allen went to Austin Community College, where she majored in education and eventually transferred to the University of Texas, where she received her education degree. After considering a career in teaching, Allen decided she wanted to give acting a shot, so she moved to California. Allen first came onto the scene with a starring role in the 1994 television series Emmanuelle in Space. She then spent four years on Days of Our Lives before being cast as Jenna Avid on Baywatch.

Krista Allen joined the cast of Baywatch in 2000 and stayed for a year. Since her time as lifeguard Jenna Avid, Allen has appeared in episodes of The X-Files, Friends, Smallville, Charmed, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race. Allen has become somewhat of a television regular in recent years, making brief appearances on numerous shows with very few reoccurring roles. Her most recent television gig was on a 2015 episode of Significant Mother.

Before patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles County, Gena Lee Nolin started as one of the famous Barker’s Beauties on the game show The Price in Right back in 1994. Shortly following, Nolin acted in the soap opera The Young and the Restless as a model named Sandy. In 1995, Nolin took the part on Neely Capshaw on Baywatch. Nolin was a cast member from the sixth season through the eighth seasons and was featured in a total of 64 episodes.

In 1998, Gena Lee Nolin left Baywatch but quickly returned to acting in 2000 with her own TV show called Sheena. The show only lasted until 2002. In 2001, Nolin posed for the Christmas edition of Playboy, adding to her list of features in men’s magazines, including Maxim, Stuff, and FHM. On top of her frequent television appearances, Nolin is also the author of a book titled Beautiful Inside and Out, Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy, “Thyroid Sexy” Life.

Actress and television personality Kelly Packard is well-known for her role on Baywatch. But in addition to saving lives, Packard was a talented bass player as Tiffani on NBC’s sitcom California Dreams. She also had a small appearance in the 1991 film And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird, in addition to appearances in episodes of Living Dolls, The Wonder Years, and Blossom. From 1991 until 1999, Packard portrayed numerous different characters on Baywatch, her most notable being April Giminski.

Throughout her acting career, Kelly Packard has been featured in two direct to video films, including the 1998 Baywatch spinoff Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay. Packard was also famous as a co-host on Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, where she brought bizarre events, people, and stories to America’s living rooms on a weekly basis from 2002 until 2003. She was also featured in episodes of Boy Meets World, The Wild Thornberrys, and the television movie Stalked By My Neighbor.

Before hitting it big as the headstrong Hawaii native Jason Ioane, Jason Momoa was just a 19-year-old working part-time at a surf shop in Hawaii. Momoa began his career as a model in 1998 after he was discovered by designer Takeo Kobayashi. Within one year, the talented Hawaiian model had already won Hawaii’s Model of the Year and was chosen to host the Miss Teen Hawaii contest. He was cast as Jason Ioane on Baywatch: Hawaii in 1999.

Throughout the 2000s, Jason Momoa had several appearances on TV shows and movies including North Shore, Johnson Family Vacation, and Stargate: Atlantis. In 2011, Momoa was cast as the powerful warlord Khal Drogo on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. During his audition, Momoa reportedly performed the Haka, a traditional Maori war dance. In 2014, Momoa broadened his horizons by directing, writing, and producing his first film, Road to Paloma. He is set to play Aquaman in the 2018 production.

A relatively unknown actress, Angelica Bridges joined the Baywatch cast in 1997 as Taylor Walsh. Prior to Baywatch, Bridges acted on Days of Our Lives in 1995, portraying Sharon Taylor. Bridges recalled her first experience of acting out a rescue on Michael Bergin by saying, “I was really into character, my lips were on his and I was blowing while trying to remember everything from CPR class. Then, all of a sudden, this fool starts puckering his lips and kissing me.”

For the most part, Angelica Bridges has shifted her career away from acting since her time on Baywatch. She portrayed Omegis in 1998’s Mortal Kombat Conquest in addition to a role as “Red Sonja” in 2000’s Conan the Adventurer. She returned to the Baywatch franchise for the 2003 film Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding and played Paige in The Bold and the Beautiful for a brief stint in 2005. These days, Angelica Bridges is the lead singer of the pop group Strawberry Blonde.

Alexandra Paul began her career as a model in New York. Her acting career started with minor roles in the 1982 television film Paper Dolls, followed by a part in the 1983 Canadian horror film American Nightmare. She got her first big lead role in 1983 in the horror film Christine. Paul also had significant parts in films American Flyers, 8 Million Ways to Die, and Dragnet before landing the most memorable role of her career as Lt. Stephanie Holden on Baywatch.

During Baywatch‘s five year stint on air, Alexandra Paul also starred in films including 1993’s Death Train, 1995’s Nightwatch, 1994’s The Paperboy, and 1996’s Spectre. Paul has been featured in 14 Lifetime Network films since 1999 and has appeared in episodes of Melrose Place, and Mad Men. Never taking herself too seriously, Paul also made a cameo appearance during a deleted scene in Borat, imitating her Baywatch character, in addition to her appearances in comedy spoof films Spy Hard and Sharknado: The 4th Awakening.

At just 8 years old, Nicole Eggert landed her first acting role in the film Rich and Famous in addition to doing the voice of Dennis’s rival Margaret in the animated Dennis the Menace in Mayday for Mother. From 1985 until 1986, Eggert portrayed Marci Ferguson on Who’s the Boss?, and then starred in Charles in Charge from 1987 until 1989. She then appeared on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, starred in 1992’s Secrets, and landed a role on Baywatch.

Eggert appeared on Baywatch for the third and fourth seasons, from 1992 until 1994 and returned for the 2003 spin-off Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. She’s appeared on episodes of Married… With Children, and Scott Baio Is 45…and Single. Eggert has also taken part in some reality TV in recent years, participation in the 2010 season of Celebrity Fit Club. She has also appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. Most recently, Eggert opened up her own ice cream truck business.

Former Playmate, model, and actress Brande Roderick became famous when she joined the cast of Baywatch in 2000 as female lead Leigh Dryer for the final season and subsequent spin-off movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. While she joined the show late and was only a cast member for one season, Roderick made a lasting impression among fans, as well as fellow members of the cast and crew. In April 2000, Roderick became Playmate of the Month and went on to win Playmate of the Year in 2001.

After Baywatch, Brande Roderick became an official “Girl of Rock Paper Scissors” for the USA Rock Paper Scissors League. She also competed in the 2006 CBS series, Gameshow Marathon, and the 2009 season of Celebrity Apprentice. Roderick hosted Playboy TV’s Playboy Shootout and, in 2012, hosted the Aces & Angels Super Bowl XLVI Party. A year later, she returned to compete in the sixth season of Celebrity Apprentice. Roderick is now married to former NFL linebacker Glenn Cadrez. She had her first child in 2010.

At the age of 19, Erika Eleniak was featured in the July 1989 issue of Playboy magazine. She then moved on to some television work, with a recurring role in Charles in Charge as the girlfriend of Charles, Stephanie Curtis. Later that year, Eleniak was able to land the role that defined her career as the female lead Shauni McClain on Baywatch. She stayed on the show from 1989 until 1992 and left following the second episode of Season 3.

Since Baywatch, Eleniak has had numerous roles in TV films, direct-to-video films, and low budget projects. Some of her most notable roles include appearances in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Dracula 3000, Absolute Zero, and Desperate Housewives. Today, Erika Eleniak is still active in television and movies, with a role in 2012’s Meant to Be as well as 2018’s Marilyn Monroe Back?, which is still in pre-production. She now resides in Calgary with her partner Roch Daigle and their 12 year old daughter, Indyanna.