It’s because they are nocturnal. All nocturnal animals sleep during the day and come out at night. They also tend to be coloured for the night which is why their fur is grey and black with dark rings around the eyes. Have you ever seen a football player rub black grease paint under his eyes? It stops light from the sun from reflecting into their eyes and blinding them and also helps them see better in low light. Raccoons have this automatically by evolution. Like all feline creatures, they have excellent night vision. Raccoons and other felines have a very special digestive tract. Unlike canine mammals who will get sick from eating something less than a day old a feline can eat a dead animal that has been rotting in the sun for weeks. They will of course gain intestinal worms but they cannot affect the animal. Instead, they will be a vector for passing it on to other species. This can take the form of stomach worms in a human or a dog or even blood poisoning from a scratch. House cats are not likely to cause such issues and are usually clean, with trimmed claws and a healthy diet of fresh food. This makes them safe to pet but if you see a raccoon or feral cat do not approach them, stay far away and leave the area slowly.
If you are worried about raccoons and other feline-oriented species coming to your property for food and water, and with the chance, that they may stay on your property, attack your pets and endanger your children then there is something you can do. You can remove access to food, water and shelter on your property. Seal off the garbage, lock it with a padlock and store it in the shed or a garage. Do not leave garbage bags, even just recycling outside, ever. This will attract animals and even if they do not find anything they will tear it apart in their search for food. No matter how much you wash a container a wild animal can still smell food on it. So keep your recycling, garbage and food garbage stored safely inside. Water is also an issue. Keeping your pool covered or your hot tub off only makes it more likely an animal will drown in it. Get a cover that fits and wraps the sides. This will prevent animals, children and adults from falling into your pool and drowning.