Answer:
Due to its characteristics.
Explanation:
We consider viruses are nonliving, but rickettsia are living because rickettsia have the characteristics of bacteria which is a living and has unique structure. It also survives outside the living cell but not for long time. The rickettsia remain in their shape and does not form crystalline structure like viruses outside the cell. If there is suitable environment for rickettsia, it can survive in that environment.
