The phrase "hibernating bear" refers to a bear that is sleeping through the winter. It means that the bear is in a deep sleep and won't wake up until spring. Full definition
Insulin resistance allows hibernating bears to break down their fat stores, and finding out how they do it could lead to therapies for type 2 diabetes (newscientist.com)
In the 1960s, scientists sought an elusive bloodborne factor, transfusing the blood of hibernating bears into monkeys in the hope of sending them into an instant sleep. (newscientist.com)
Hibernating Bear by Mary Engel is her latest incredible sculpture made with thousands of bullets. (marciawoodgallery.com)