Moved from Giant Hairy Scorpions.

Moved from ID Request.

Well Hello there, little Jake!
Good ID Blaine =)
I do know that Hadrurus obscurus is found around China Lake, but I don't recall if H. arizonensis is found that far NW. As soon as I dig up the journal with that info, I'll put it in its proper place. But an easy clincher would be if you added a photo looking directly down at the face/carapace. The pale portion on the face is different in the two spp.: H. arizonensis has a curved, half-moon shaped interocular area, and H. obscurus is more of a squared-off block, with a pale stripe down the center of the body.

There are over 90 described species of scorpion in the United States, and over 60 in California! Several undescribed species might bring the total up to 120 or so.
The China Lake area is rich in scorpion diversity, with species from 3 families, ranging in size from 20 mm (less than an inch) to big guys like Jake here. So get a black light and scour the hills and desert to find all kinds of species not yet in the BugGuide and possibly some new! Email me at kari.mcwest{AT}gmail.com for the best black light ideas.

If you can get Jake in a clear bottomed container and photograph the combs on the underside, we can tell you for sure if it's Jake or Jacqueline =)

Hadrurus are harmless: yes, they have venom and a sting would definitely hurt, but that's about it. Nothing to worry about. But try not to handle Jake too much in such a HUGE state, he could "pop" if dropped or tear internally if picked up. Get a cup and just coax him into it to move him. These guys are usually docile unless they're in a bad mood, feel threatened, or HUNGRY!

would be my first guess. How big is it?