I Googled 'raccoons' and found out they're solitary creatures (phew - maybe our home invader was traveling solo). They also don't have babies till at least April, so moving him/her miles away didn't leave any raccoon babies motherless (another worry...)
Raccoons are distantly related to bears, as well as dogs and cats. They are omnivorous and nocturnal, a mammal native to North America and Central America. They particularly love marshmallows (!) - one link suggested using marshmallows as bait (we used canned cat food), although they'll eat almost anything.
Compost piles and bird feeders are special attractions (we have both). According to one source, the intelligence and dexterity of a raccoon is such that it can pick an avocado from a tree, aim, and throw it at a barking dog. Door knobs that can be turned -- without locks -- are no obstacle for a raccoon to open. Some raccoons seem to possess enough natural intelligence to follow the action events of what they see portrayed on television.
Dexterity is their middle name: they can open purses, unlocked doors, zippers, and can even remove shoelaces from a pair of shoes.
Raccoons are one of the few native mammals that have not been restricted to increasingly smaller areas of natural habitat by urban development. They've adapted - cut down a forest and they'll move to your chimney, attic, a culvert, or whatever.
Ours has now been moved and, boy, was he glad to get out of that trap.
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