Because they aren't, although I must say, they have very very toxic saliva, that must be venomous in some way....
Yesterday, I had just settled my little hatchling regal into it's little aquarium after holding it for a few minutes. Amazing how big hatchling regals are, close to 7 inches and thick. I left it for about 20 minutes. When I came back I found it halfway through eating a 5 inch common garter snake, the garter recently ate so it was pretty thick. I don't know how much of the "battle" I missed but the regal was swallowing the garter backwards, by the time I got to see it halfway through it's meal, the garter was breathing nice and slow, you could see it's mid body moving in and out once every 10 seconds.
The garter must've been extremely affected by the regal's "venom" as it wasn't fighting back at all and died a few minutes later. The regal ate the whole thing pretty quick, I got a few pics but they won't turn out good as always.
Earlier today the garter was so digested that you couldn't even see the lump that was it's head(it stuck out alot yesterday).
I disagree with people saying they are not venomous, even if it is only to prey. On the kingsnake forum, people assumed that the ringneck will grab the snake on the neck and suffocate them that way. I don't think that is the case at all, I have seen regals bite prey on the neck one time and leave it, and the prey would die shortly after, the prey certainly didn't die from suffocation in that case now did it?
Maybe a regal in the wild can take down a kingsnake of the same size, I can't wait to see the results of that battle from regalringneck, if it happens. No doubt that would be interesting. This message was posted because everybody out there except a select few will dispute that ringnecks are not venomous to their prey, I happen to think that they are more venomous than people think, they definitely have stronger "venom" than alot of venomous snakes.
People, don't get offended because I use snakes as food for my snakes. It's my choice, don't get offended. 
Michael
Michael's Place
