Scientific Names And Classifications There are six genuses in which chameleons are classified. They are Chamaeleo (jacksonii, fischeri), Furcifer (pardalis, oustaleti), Calumma (tigris, parsonii) , Bradypodian (thamnobates, pumilum), Brookesia (minima, superciliaris), and Rhampholean (spectrum, brevicaudatus). The most common genus is Chamaeleo, but Furcifer and Calumma species are sometimes also classified in this genus, but some taxonomists completely dismiss Furcifer and Calumma as separate genuses. The Chamaeleo, as well as Furcifer and Calumma, genus consists of those species that live almost exclusively in the trees. They have long tails that are usually as long as the chameleon's body. There are exceptions, however. Fischer's Chameleons, Chamaeleo fischeri have tails that are up to twice as long as the bodies are. Conversely, Crowned Chameleons, Chamaeleo cristatus, have short tails that are only about two-thirds the length of the body. Species in this genus are mostly egg layers (oviparous), but there are a few, like Chamaeleo jacksonii and Chamaeleo rudis that give live birth (ovoviviparous). They can be as small as about 6 inches, or as large as 3 feet.