College is nicknamed the animal house because of students’ unruly antics. But what happens when the animals own their own animals?

Hilary Clayton, a senior studying international studies, is the proud parent of Night Eagle, a year and a half old hedgehog. Night Eagle sleeps in a towel bed and eats cat food and mealworms.

“Everybody loves him,” Clayton said. “He’s easy to take care of and has more swag than a cat or dog.”

Danny Green, a senior studying hospitality management, is in the process of adopting a family of sugar gliders, which are pocketsize critters that patrol the skies like flying squirrels. Sugar glider adoption is a growing trend in the United States, but some states ban the practice because sugar gliders are a hot commodity on the animal black market.

Originating from the treetops of northern Australia, sugar gliders eat anything sweet, especially fruits and vegetables, and are very social. So social in fact that they can go almost anywhere in public without being caged and will not want to leave your shoulder.

“They are low-maintenance, loyal, eat your scraps and are different from ordinary pets,” Green said. “Having them will help me get away from the stress of classes.”

A 2008 OSU study bolsters Green's sentiment.

Sara Staats, a professor emeritus of psychology at Ohio State’s Newark Campus, concluded that students who live with at least one pet were less likely to report feeling lonely and depressed. The survey, however, only took into account cats and dogs and didn’t consider less common pets like reptiles and marsupials.

Some students even harbor animals on campus.

Samantha Yuli, a former resident of the south campus resident halls, sheltered Demitrius, a foot and a half long corn snake, in her dorm room. When she was out, Demitrius resided in a glass terrarium under Yulis' lofted bed. When she was in the room, he slithered around in a homemade playground made of sarong.

“Snakes make no noise. I only have to feed him twice a week and clean the tank every month or so,” said Yuli. “Best pet I’ve ever had.”

Despite such testimonies, university policy strictly forbids housing such pets in residence halls. Section 3.5 of the dormitory manual reads, “Residents may keep goldfish or tropical fish, but other types of pets and animals are not permitted in the residence halls at any time.”

Megan Woodall, a senior studying political science and Spanish, supports the policy. She believes college life is too busy and that students don’t recognize the degree of responsibility necessary to raise a pet.

“I don't think so because pets require a lot of effort and work,” she said. “Plus, they take up space that life in the residence halls doesn't really allow. I can't imagine having a big dog in my double freshman year.”

Green’s mentality represents an opinion that certain pets should be allowed in the residence halls.

“Having a separate dorm for pet owners is good idea,” Green said.

A number of schools across the country, including University of Illinois and M.I.T., have already built residence halls that accommodate animals.

Searcy Hall, a residence hall at Stephens College dubbed ‘Pet Central,’ has a gated backyard for pets to run around and a doggy day care center that employs students.

Sharon Peters, of the USA Today, explains the school’s rationale.

“Many animal lovers have opted to live off-campus, which bites into colleges' housing income; prohibitions haven't always prevented pets from being smuggled in,” she said. “The policies seem to have emerged in response to a pet-loving society and from recognition that animals can reduce stress and make acclimating to college easier.”

Ohio State has no plans to enact a similar policy.