What is the main winter food of Arctic hares?

The main winter food of Arctic hares is woody plants.

During the long Arctic winter, Arctic hares browse the twigs, bark, and buds of low-growing woody vegetation. Their diet can include willow and other tundra shrubs, as well as mosses and lichens. In summer, when vegetation is more abundant, they eat a wider selection of leaves, grasses, flowers, and other green plants.

Arctic hares are herbivores built for extreme cold. Their compact ears reduce heat loss, while their thick fur and broad hind feet help them move across snow. They may dig through snow to reach buried vegetation and can gather in groups, particularly in winter. Despite their size, they are important prey for Arctic predators such as Arctic foxes, snowy owls, and wolves. The species is distinct from the more southerly snowshoe hare.