While many references to animals can be found in conventional law, the animal itself emerges as an unknown object in international law. Yet, before existing as legal objects, animals simply exist. If their material existence precedes their legal essence, their "natural" nature doesn't transition into legal frameworks. Instead, wide-ranging human interests shape their legal categorization, leaving international law struggling to grasp a unified concept of 'animal', all the while science increasingly acknowledges animal sentience. Beyond explaining the foundations, purposes, and implementation of norms related to animals, this work explores the anthropocentric nature of law in an invitation to reconsider how law adresses non-human life.