1. Fish

Of all the easy pets to take care of in a dorm room, a fish has to be one of the easiest. Fish are fun to look at and generally require very little maintenance. Betas, guppies, and goldfish are all fish I have had while living in a dorm. They are especially easy because they don't require any special lights and can live in a regular fish bowl.

2. Frog

While there are a wide variety of frog species, the aquatic frogs such as the pipidae frog are very easy to care for. I currently have four of these frogs in my dorm room, and the only maintenance they require is feeding twice a day and a weekly water change. Can't get much easier than that! Plus, they are a great conversation starter when I have people over.

3. Hamster

I love hamsters. They are cute and fluffy, and just need a cage, food and water. The only thing you have to be careful about is that your hamster doesn't escape. As long as you have a good, strong cage, you shouldn't have this problem, though... just be careful when you're cleaning his cage that he doesn't make a break for it.

4. Turtle

Box turtles are a fun alternative to a dorm room pet. They require a little more maintenance than other easy pets, but are still very manageable in a dorm room. Many turtles only require commercial food, and a tank with a dry area and a water-filled area. The only warning with box turtles is that they can live up to 40 years. So be prepared to have this pet long after you've graduated and left your dorm room!

5. Hermit Crab

Hermit crabs are very easy pets. They basically only need a cage, food, and wet sponges. They are not the most exciting pets, but hermit crabs can add a pretty touch to your room since there are so many different shells that you can pick from when you buy one!

6. Trilobite

Trilobites are also called "living fossils." They date back to the Triassic period and look like a cross between a tadpole and a shrimp. They come as eggs, with the food they will eat, in a little pouch. You just have to pour the pouch in water, and the trilobites hatch in one to two days. If you are looking for a pet that you don't have to do anything with, including feed, then a trilobite might be the pet for you!

7. Rock

If you are really about low-maintenance pets, a pet rock is no-maintenance. You can decorate your rock and stick it on your shelf, and voila! You've got the perfect dorm room pet.

I have always had a pet in my dorm room, and even though they require a little bit of work, I have never regretted having pets! Have you ever had a dorm room pet? What other pets have you had?