Scorpions will hop towards you if approached from the sides, but won't be able to see you if you are at a different height to them. Jump onto them to avoid the attack altogether or counter attack with the whip before they hit you. They can be sacrificed to Kali while unconscious. While scorpions normally attack you only if you're in front of them within some distance, if you get too close behind them, they will jump and attack forward, even if the spelunker is behind them. Additionally they might be able to see the spelunker through walls at a specific distance.