A friend called this morning to tell me how a road gator slapped her car upside the grill and nearly took out her license plate and rim. It clobbered the plastic baffle thing underneath in front and she had to stop and "tuck it in" to the front bumper so it wouldn't drag, and it had to be replaced. I *think* that's what that thing is for. $200 at Firestone and she was back on the road.

Road gators: found throughout the Continental US, though rumored to originate in southern and eastern states.