What kind and longest living pet tortoise can you keep in your house?

Answer 1

Your most likely candidate is the Greek Tortoise aka. Spur thighed (Testudo graeca) known to live 57 years captive.
A close second would be the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) though very small only 6 in. shell length with a 52 year longevity record
is likely to be your best bet for indoor living though adaquate lighting and nutrition are essential.
Aldabra Tortoise (Dipsochelys gigantea) (The largest land tortoise on earth) known to live 63 years captive
However these are record longevity statistics. As well in captivity inadequate care is more likely to result in mortality than old age.
There are some species of tortoises known to live more than 150 years though these would be too large and require to much care and room to be maintained in a home. Two such tortoises, (I believe are galapagos tortoises.) and are named Millenium and Centurian both owned by zoos and can be researched on the internet.

Answer 2

You best look for small tortoises like Hermann's and Greek tortoises, which stay under 7-8" when full grown. These two tortoises are common in the pet trade. Check out http:kingsnake.com under classifieds. You can find one for US$150-200 plus $30 shipping.

They can live for over 50 years. The turtle hobby is relatively young, 50-60 yeras only and husbandry techniques have only really been good since the 80 and 90s. So, most people did not know much and provided poor husbandry and many turtles and torts died. So, there are not many accounts, but from research and experience, it is safe to say they live more than 50 years and have known to live for over 100. Harriet, a galapagos tortoises, from Australia Zoo (Croc Hunter) just died at the age of 175 or so...

Here are some caresheets:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/hermannstortoisecare.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/iberacare.htm

Answer 3

a california desert tortoise if you live in cali and u MUST have a permit to have them