Faunus

Faunus are a race of humanoid people in the world of RWBY.

Description
Faunus look almost exactly like humans, except that they share certain traits with animals. Some have been shown to have animal ears, such as rabbit or bear ears, while others have horns protruding from their heads. Despite certain Faunus having a set of animal ears already, it appears that at least some of them still have human ears as do those with horns. Faunus tend to be treated as animals or second-class citizens by others and have since begun to protest for their civil rights, and can be seen to be treated indiscriminately by others, just like Cardin making fun of Velvet. Children are allowed to attend at least some schools with people of other races, but may be subject to bullying from their non-Faunus peers.

Ruby Rose
Lisa Lavender presents a news report on the Faunus Civil Rights Protest. She says that a protest by a group of Faunus was disrupted by a group known as the White Fang, an organization previously known as peaceful, which turned the protest violent.

Jaunedice
During a meal in Beacon Academy's cafeteria, Cardin Winchester and the rest of Team CRDL picks on Velvet Scarlatina, a female Faunus with rabbit ears. Cardin pulls on them mercilessly as she begs him to stop. Yang comments that it must be hard being a Faunus. Velvet is the first character to be introduced in the series thus far who is confirmed to be a Faunus.

Trivia
The species of Faunus can be an allusuion to the fairy tale theme of Team "RWBY" and the mythology of the different nationalities of the members of Team "JNPR".