The hognose snake puts on an impressive bluff, hissing and rearing back, broadens the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but, having no dangerous fangs and no venom, eventually, if its pursuer is not cowed by the performance, will fall over and play dead.

(A) broadens the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but, having no dangerous fangs and no venom,

(B) broadens the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigns repeated strikes, but with no dangerous fangs and no venom,

(C) broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigning repeated strikes, but it has no dangerous fangs and no venom, and

(D) broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigns repeated strikes, but with no dangerous fangs and no venom, and

(E) broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but with no dangerous fangs and no venom, and

This one threw me for a loop, is someone willing to take a crack at it? In addition to explaining the right answer choice can someone explain why the other answer choices are wrong as well.

I will post OA shortly.

Correct answer is C . hissing and rearing back and such kinda phrases are modifying the impressive bluff. in sentence "C" after but correctly a new clause is introduced starting with "it".
in the clause started after but after "and" another clause is started and properly connected to but clause.

Guest - You are right the answer is C. I initially went with D, and for the reason that "it" in C seemed ambiguous. What is "it" referring to? Cobra, Hognose Snake, bluff? How did you clarify this in selecting that answer choice? Was there something else in D as opposed to C that helped you eliminate D and go with C?

C is best of five choices

in D u need 'and' before broadening
and in E u need 'and' before feigning to make complete construction