For non snake pets I'd love an octopus too as they are extremely smart, only thing is they are escape artists and can fit anywhere their beak fits. I have a blue and gold macaw and they are amazing but a lot of work, I find it worth it but you really do need a lot of time to give them affection. They are loud but I've learned to tune it out, some people can't though. Cockatoos need more attention than blue and golds. I have a lot of experience with parrots.
This video alone made the octopus my favorite sea creature, it uses sea shells as armor: