Chrysemys picta, commonly known as the painted turtle, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution extends from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico. This species is predominantly found in the eastern United States and Canada but can also be seen in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf Coast.

Painted turtles typically inhabit slow-moving freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and rivers with soft, muddy bottoms. These environments are characterized by abundant aquatic vegetation and are often surrounded by areas of dense foliage, which provide ideal basking sites on logs or rocks.

Chrysemys picta occupies an ecological niche as a semi-aquatic turtle species. It plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by maintaining aquatic health through its diet of algae, aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. The painted turtle's ability to adapt to various freshwater environments, along with its reliance on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, underscores its niche as both a predator and prey in its habitat.